Gold Stars Presented To Two Firemen

Chronicle (Levin), 2 November 1948, Page 2

Gold Stars Presented To Two Firemen

Firemen from many parts j gathered at the Otaki Fire Sraticm. on Saturday night to join with present and past members of the local Volunteer Fire Brigade ' in recognising the twenty-five yeaiV service completed by two members! of the Otaki Brigade. Fireman C. V. Pike and J. C. Snowdon. Many members of the public were present also, among whom were the Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore, members of the Otaki Borough Council and the town clerk, Mr. Alex Wilson and members of the Otaki Fire Board. Superintendent C. Sharp presided, and the function commenced with the Loyal Toast. Members of the. R.S.A. Tin Hat Club, of Wellington, Messrs Dean, Aitken, Stevens and Marshall, submitted a programme of entertainment of a very high standard, each performer being heartiiy encored.

In offering his congratulations to the guests of the evening, Superintendent Sharp referred to 'them as members of the gallanL band who had "pioneered" fire fighting in Otaki. Present members were proud of their example and weie at all tane ready to fo.low the high standard they had set. He trusted members would continue to have their comradeship and advice, and called on Mr. H. B. Edhouse, cnairman of the Otaki Fire Board, to present Firemen Pike and Snowdon, with their Gold Star decorations. Mr. Edhouse said he felt it an honour indeed to have the privilege of making sucn a well deserved presentation, and recalled the first fire he had seen shortly after his arrival in Otaki a litUe over. 25 years ago. In those days the hand reel was in use, bucnevertneless the then brigade did a splendid job. It was pieasmg to note the advances made, and today, the speaker ciaimed, the Otaki Bngade was a very up-to-date and efficient organisation, and insurance companies' and fire board members had the utmost confidence, which they were not SxOw to express, m tnem. He knew full well tne part their two guests had p.ayed throughout ihe years. mu ^anouse comp.imented the brigade furtner on being so easy to wuik with. This, he added, made the fire board's task an easy one. Nfr. Edhouse then offered his congratuiations to Firemen Pike and Snowdon, and called on them to receive tneir decorations. Susiained appi&u&e accompanied the presentation and musicai honours were accorded them. Further appiause greeted Firemen Snowdon and Pike when they rose to rep.y. Fireman - Snowdon ihanked Mr. Ednouse and an present for the trioutes paid, and stated that the occasion was one of the proudest mcments of his iife. He then related a few amusmg mcidents arismg from his earuer association with the brigade. Fireman Pike assured ai± mat he was proud of the decoration and of the tributes paid. Further toasts were honoured, thao oi tne uiaxi Fire Board berng proposed by Fireman L. G. Gmipiett and responded to by Mr. J. Retter; tne guests of the evening by Mr. H. B. Edhouse; and the ixeturned Services' Association by Mr. r. T. Mortxboy and responaed to by Mr. V. Morgan; the entertainers by Superintendent Sharp and responded to by Mr. E. Dean. Mr. R. Carkeek led in community singing and provided a humorous item, after which an appetising supper was served by Mrs. J. Royal. The singing of Auld Lang brougnt the function to a close. Among apoiogies tendered were those of ex-Supermtendent • H. Cockrell, now of Auckland, Captain T. J. Watts, secretary of tne United Fire Brigades' Association, Mr. Keith Terry, an ex-fireman, Mr B H. Rhodes, secretary of the Otaki Fire Board, and severai brigades nnable to be represented.