STOKES VALLEY FIRE STATION

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 32, 2 November 1942, Page 2

STOKES VALLEY FIRE STATION

Erected By Voluntary Effort A FINE ACHIEVEMENT The Stokes Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade, though only about' two years old, is) gaining an enviable reputation for cooperative effort and enterprise. It commenced operations frith a trailer fitted with bucket pumps and chemical extinguishers, which was attached to the car of one of the residents when a fire broke out. A few months later, the brigade acquired a heavy car and converted it into a modern fire-fighting machine, but Saturday marked the peak of its efforts when an attractive tire station, valued at over £BOO, was officially handed over to the local authoiity, the Hutt County Council. The building and fire-fighting, plant, valued at £l7OO, are largely the result of spare-time work of the brigade. The actual erection of the building was done by members, who gave their spare time to the undertaking. Materials were obtained at wholesale prices, and paid for by grants from the Hutt County Council, supplemented by funds collected by the brigade. The building is of modern tiesign and comprises the main station, workshop, office, meeting hall and kitchenette. , When formally handing over the building to the Hutt County Council on Saturday, tlie chairman, Mr. T. Delaney, pointed' out that the brigade was established to meet a very definite need in Stoscs Valley. Since the district had become a resident ini urea, 13 houses had been destroyed by fire, and fencing to the 'i l ' ll ® of several hundred pounds had sunerefl through scrub fin's. Valuable native nusii had also suffered. The brigade was an essential service, and its members were enthusiasts in tlie cause they served. During earthquakes of major severity they remained on duty throughout the. mglit. In accepting the building on oehaif Ot the district. Mr. K. L. Button, chairman of the Hutt County Council, congratulated the brigade on their fine effort. Mr Ward Pearce, representative of the Epuni riding on the council, and Mr. u. E. Combs, M.V., also spoke.