GONVILLE FIRE BRIGADE

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12734, 1 April 1909, Page 2

GONVILLE FIRE BRIGADE

A meeting of residents of the Gonville Town District was held in the Gonville 1 Town Hall Jast evening to consider the question of forming a Fire Brigade in the district. Mr A. G. Bignell presided, and there was a very fair attendance. Those present included Mr T. D. Cummins and Mr T. H. Battle, ex-captains of the Wanganui Fire Brigade, Captain Holland, of the Eastown Brigade, and ex-Captain Williams, of the Waipawa Fire Brigade, each of whom during the evening threw out some valuable suggestions and tendered good advice in connection with fire brigade matters. Mr BIGNELL, after mentioning the object of the meeting, expressed great pleasure at the proposal to form a brigade, and remarked that the district was fortunate in possessing a number of ex-fire-meri of the Wanganui and other Fire Brigades who had intimated their intention of joining the brigade should it be formed. Referring to the arrangements made with the borough by the Gonville Board for payment of Is per 1000 gallons of water, he pointed out that a considerable quantity of water would be used by the brigade at practices and in suppressing fires, and he hoped the borough would allow a concession for fire purposes and brigade practice. So far as the financial aspect of the proproposed brigade was concerned, he believed the residents of the . district would liberally respond with subscriptions, and nearly every household, he thought would provide an honorary member, provided the subscription "was not fixed too high. He had no dosbt the Town Board would also assist. So far as the water supply was concerned , the Board- had just about completed the reticulation of the district in so far as the present scheme was concerned. Over 5J miles of mains had been laid, and 42 fire plugs had been provided, distributed Qver the greater length of the settled portions of the district. Concluding, the chairman called on Mr E. J. CHATWIN, one of the prime movers in the matter of establishing a brigade, who moved "That this meeting of residents of the Gonville Town District is of opinion that a Volunteer Fire Brigade should be formed, and pledges itself to support the movement in every possible way." The speaker outlined the steps which had been taken up to the present, and indicated what plant might be necessary to start with. He estimated that for ,£250 they could fairly efficiently equip a brigade of 20 members, providing two companies and two reels, working one on the river side and the other on the Alma Road part of the district. The sum he had mentioned included the cost of 1500 feet of hose, a shed to accommodate the plant, and uniforms. It was not deemed necessary, however, to procure all these things at present, and it was thought they could do with one reel, kept on the hill near the school, which would be a central site. Afr H. WILSON seconded the' motion, which was carried unanimously, as was also a motion to open subscription lists and canvass the district. Nominations were then "taken for active membership, and 19 names were handed in. A number of hon. members were also enrolled, 'the subscription being fixed at 10s per annum. Votes of thanks to the visiting ex-nre-men and to the chair terminated the proceedings. At a meeting of the newly-enrolled members the election of officers was proceeded with, and it was resolved that the appointment of a captain stand over till a future meeting. The following officers were appointed: — Lieutenant, C. Halligan (after ballot) ; foreman No. 1 company, J. Arnold ; foreman No. 2 company, C. Leatherland; hon. secretary, E. J. Chatwin; hon. treasurer,. F. Bourne; committee, W. Lyall, H. Wilson, and R. J. Boyd; trustee, Foreman J. Arnold ; auditor, B. T. Fraser. It was resolved that No. 1 company include the river side of Koromiko Road and extension, and No. 2 Alma Road and Smithfield. A sub-committee was formed to draft rules. Masters P. Cloke and V. Mailman were appointed messengers. The officers were appointed a deputation to wait on the Town Board.