RANGIORA FIRE BRIGADE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22504, 12 September 1938, Page 5

RANGIORA FIRE BRIGADE

GATHERING OF GOLD

STAR MEN

LONG SERVICE OF MEMBER

RECOGNISED

In recognition of the service given by Motorman A. Prestney to the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade, and also to honour those who had earned their gold stars while in the organisation, the brigade on Saturday night held , a dinner at the Junction Hotel. Rangiora. Nearly 40 were present, among the guests being Messrs C. I. Jennings, D. Appleby, and L. J. Conder. bupenuiendt!iit LJ. VV. Pyicr presided. Proposing the toast to Motorman Prestney, Superintendent Tyler said it was only fitting trial some recognition sfiouid oe mane of his services. ,fo’ 58 years he was a member of tne Brigade. and during that time he had given exceptional service t to tne oorough. iviocorman Prestney’s family had served the borough for three or four generations, and the work ot tne family lor the community extended to more than 100 years. Motorman Prestney joined the Raitgiora Volunteer Fire Brigade in October of 1900, and resigned from it to live in Christcfiurch in July last. Out of a total of 1261 musters ho attended 1205, and out of a total of 212 fires he attended 186. Probably this was a rccorc for the Dominion, the superintendent said.

Further reference to the service given by Motorman Prestney was made by Mr C. I. Jennings, who, in tracing the growth of the organisation since iis inception 64 years ago, observed that it was men iniused with a spirit like that of Motorman Prestney’s, which had made the brigade the efficient fire fighting unit it was. Motorman Prestnej had adapted himself to the evolution in fire fighting appliances and his assistance to the borough could not be assessed in words.

As Mayor of Rangiora, Mr C. W Tyler, for the borough, presented Motorman Presthey with an antique brass log-box and firescreen. The gift, said the Mayor, was in appreciation of the valuable service given by the chief guest of the evening to the broough. He expressed the opinion that Motorman Prcstney’s absence would be a loss to the brigade and the community to both of which he had given uncommonly loyal support. Motorman Prestncy said it was his privilege to have seen the brigade passthrough various phases of development until to-day it was a unit of which the borough might well feel proud. Apart from enjoying his work in the brigade he valued the fellowship which the unit had afforded him. His associations with the brigade were of the happiest and it pleased him to feci that he had been of some use to the community while he was a member of it. Other toasts honoured were:—“ The Councillors.” orr --d by Mr D. Appleby. responded ' >y Cr. C. S. Ayers: “The Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade,” proposed by Mr C. I. Jennings, responded to by Foreman P. J. Coates; “The Gold Star Mon,” proposed by Cr. W. C. Prosser, resnonded to by former Superintendent A. H. Tyler; “Our Banker.” proposed by Superintendent Tyler, responded to by Mr L. J. Conder