DISCORDANT NOTES!

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9204, 2 April 1938, Page 2

DISCORDANT NOTES!

PAEROA VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE "DOWN THE SINK" ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BAND Resentment at certain statements alleged to have been made by members of the Paeroa Municipal Band about the Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade in connection with the disposal of the surplus funds of the recent queen carnival were made at a meeting of the brigade on Tuesday evening, and the action of the band in holding the carnival when the idea originated from the brigade was also recounted, reports the "Gazette." The deputy-sueprintendent, Mr E. Moore, said that some bandsmen had stated, when it was announced that some of the surplus funds would be given to the brigade, that the brigade would "only pour it down the sink." The bandsmen apparently did not realise that members of the brigade were on duty 365 days in the year and 24 hours of the day. They had had only one smoke concert to his knowledge in several years. "I AM VERY HURT"

"Men who talk like that have not the good of the town at heart," declared Mr Moore. The brigade had been active for over 40 years and had canvassed the town at times to send men away to demonstrations once in two years. It was worth giving a fireman £5 to £6 for his expenses on the trip on such occasions, but they did not receive it. "I am very much hurt at such statements being made," the deputy-superintend-ent concluded. He added that the Mayor, Mr Wm. Marshall, had said that in a year's time the brigade would get a "VS," plenty of hose and a good social fund.

"Strikes me the band is more important than the fire brigade," remarked a fireman. Another Fireman: The next time there is a fire we'll let the band go and blow it out! (Laughter.) Mr Moore recalled that over £IOOO had been raised in Paeroa for the band in the course of years. CARNIVAL FOR BRIGADE The secretary, Mr C. W. Malcolm, stated that during the carnival many people had expressed the opinon that the brigade was a more worthy object than the band. He read from the minutes of a meeting held on December 21 when the question of a queen carnival for brigade funds was discussed and again on January IS when it was decided to go on with the proposal. Later in the latter meeting the brigade learned that the band had decided to hold a carnival. "We have been informed that we'll get equipment, hose and a new engine within a year," stated the de-puty-superintendent. "That was not from the borough council. That was from what MiMarshall had heard," retorted the superintendent, Mr W. J. Moore.

A Fireman: He (Mr Marshall) is going out.- What's going to happen then ? The superintendent referred ta parts of the fire brigade's report as published in the "Gazette." UNDER £IOO A YEAR NOW The secretary pointed out that tho expenditure recommended for Paeroa was £SOO, of which the borough would have to find £250. At present the council found under £IOO a year, he added.

The deputy-superintendent asked if the band would go on if it had to go under the same hardships as the brigade, supplying boots, clothing, etc. The brigade was voluntary and had been doing that for over 30 years. "Are we quite content to go on as in the past?" he asked. The band was a good unit in the town and appreciated what the people had done but the authorities should have taken the needs of the brigade into consideration. Its efforts were not

appreciated. "It is a disgraceful thing that a body of men like the band should criticise a body like the brigade," declared the superintendent. "Are we going to drink the money? It is a crying shame!" Several brigadesmen expressed the opinion that the brigade should have gone on with its own carnival. The needs of the brigade warranted it.

STATE OF UNIFORMS "A lot of little things are wanted," declared Mr Moore. The uniforms were in need of repair. A fireman (opening out his uniform coat): This one is 3 0 years old. The Superintendent (after inspection): No. That one's only 27 years old.

Some of the uniforms, he pointed out, were over 40 years old. The last, issue of uniforms was in 1913. The men had looked after them, taking Ihem home after fires and cleaning and repairing them, Mr. Moore stated. The dress uniforms were not of the right sizes and some were far too small.

Exemplifying the fire at the racecourse grandstand, the superintendsnt stated that the brigade had just enough hose to reach the building if the fire had spread. The brigade •hould have sufficient hose to replace wet hose in case another fire occurred before one lot I'ould be dr!^d. The superintendent remarked that the fire engine, hose, equipment, uniforms and £SO in cash had been handed to the borough council by the brigade.