COMPLIMENTARY SMOKO

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 44, 15 February 1946, Page 5

COMPLIMENTARY SMOKO

WHAKATANE FIRE BRIGADE FUNCTION

WELCOME TO RETURNED MEMBERS

Upwards of seventy guests foregathered at the Caledonian Hall, (on Saturday evening when the Whakatane Volunteer Fire Brigade held a complimentary smoke concert with the object of welcoming home a number of men of the local service who have returned from overseas. Numbered among the guests were many ex-firemen, and the occasion was the more notable, as it represented the first such function at which original members of the Bri-* gade of 1913, when it was first formed, were able to be present.

Following the Loyal Toast, Superintendent F. Stewart extended a welcome on behalf of the Brigade to the visitors present that evening, it was, he said, the first opportunity the men of the present service had had to entertain the Brigade’s original members, and all regarded it as a high honour. He sincerely trusted that the next such occasion would take place in the new fire station which it was hoped would be built in the near future.

To Secretary Alien, fell the honour of welcoming home the men who had returned after seeing service overseas. He did so in a few well chosen words, expressing the pleasure lie, and those for whom he was speaking, felt in being able to do so. Fireman Bert Norman and ex-fire-man E. Morey replied. , A feature of the evening was the presentation to firemen of honours and awards won. These took the form of service bars and medals and were presented by Mr S. S. Slvapley, Chairman of the, Fire Board. The recipients were as follows: Superintendent F. Stewart 2 year bar, making a total of 23 years’ service; Fireman B. Norman, two 2 year bars, making a total of 11 years’ service; Fireman J. Dent, 5 year medal and two 2 year bars, making a total of 9 years’ service; Fireman S. Dent, 2 year bar making a total of 7 years’ service; Fireman L. Canned, 5 year medal and 2 year bars making a total of 7 years’ service; Fireman J. King, 5 year medal; Fireman B. Cottrell, 5 year medal; Fireman A. Wiggins,. 5 year medal; Fireman B. Woolliam's, 3 year certificate.

A talented group of eight artists, kept the proceedings moving at a fast and entertaining rate. Mr H. Haeusler proved to be one of the lpost popular and his turn, which naturally revolved round his dexterity with a pencil w r as greeted with enthusiasm. Mr J, Rust, proved once again the okl adage about the quickness of the hand deceiving the eye and his display of conjuring was really first class. Mr Stewart Pyne’s piano accordion solo was marked with applause, whilst pianoforte solos by Messrs Wallace and Cottrell kept the entertainment at a high standard. Mr A. Stewart rendered a trombone solo, whilst Deputy Superintendent Hurndell’s vocal item was well received. A few well chosen anecdotes from Mr SulliVan served also to keep the company in high good spirits.

The toast list honoured was as under:—

“The Loyal Toast”: “U.F.8.A.” Deputy Superintendent 1\ Hurndell and ex-Superintendent T. Ward; “Departed Comrades” Superintendent F. H. Stewart; “Returned Firemen Soldiers” Secretary Allen and Fireman B. Norman and ex-Fireman E. Morey; “The Artists” Fireman O. Roulston and Mr J. Rust; “The Visitors” Fireman McDonald and exCaptain Boon; “The Press” Superintendent F. H. Stewavt and Fireman A. Wiggins; “The Whakatane Brigade” ex-Captain Boon and Deputy Superintendent Hurndell.