Twenty-seven Years Fire Fighting.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVI, 17 October 1903, Page 2

Twenty-seven Years Fire Fighting.

Mr Wait, of Devonport, whose portrait we give this week, has a fire-fight-ing record of which he may well be proud. It was in the year 1876 that he first joined the Auckland Fire Brigade, in the capacity of a volunteer. In 1878 an important event —the formation of the United Fire Brigade Association—took place, and from that body he two years later received his first certificate of service. A five rears’ service silver

medal was the next honour to Im,iwarded to Mr Wait, and every second \» ar thereafter he received a silver bar. Einht silver bars fell to his lot. and on the receipt of the last one he was also presented by Superintendent John Hughes with a twenty-one years’ service certificate. At that period Mr Wait filled the responsible position of second foremen in the City Brigade, but. owing to a change of residence, was forced to resign hi* po*t. to the great loss of the Auckland division. Devonport. his new place of abode, gained what the city l<»*t. as Mr Wait immediately joined the brigade in that suburb. Shortly after becoming a member of the Shore Brigade he received his silver bar for the completion of twenty three years’ service. Finally, in recognition of his excellent qualification* a* a fire fight er. the brig’dpromoted him to the well-earned and proud position of senior foreman of the Devonport section, and this post of responsibility he «till holds. On the 4th September of this year the Devonport Fire Brigade held their ninth annual concert, at which Air Wait was pre-ented with a twenty-five years’ gold medal from the United Fire Bri•jade Association. Thi* medal should have been handed oxer to him in the year 1901. a* in that year Mr Wait com pleted his quarter century as a firem«n. Mr Handley, the Deputy - Mayor, who made the presentation, spoke in highly eulogistic terms of Mr Wait’s strict attention to his duties ami the high coiir age he displayed in scenes of disaster. Mr Wait can now fairly claim to be considered the longest service fireman in the Auckland district. Twenty - seven \ ears’ untiring ami assiiduou* fulfilment of hi* duties stand to his record, and still the veteran is to be found at his post when dutv calls. To »m ti like Mr Wait Auckland should be duh grateful, showing l»\ every nic.iii* that apprecia tion of their conduct which is their just due.