FIRE BRIGADE “SMOKO”

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 631, 10 May 1921, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADE “SMOKO”

MOST SUCCESSFUL FUNCTIONMANY VISITING FIREMEN PRESENT. The Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade held their annual smoke concert in the Winter Show buildings on Saturday last. There was a very large attendance, including firemen from brigades in Auckland, Otahuhu and surrounding districts. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J, Routly) presided and the proceedings were opened by the singing of the National Anthem. The Mayor, in his opening remarks, referred to the deep debt of gratitude the community owed the fire brigades and the sense of security which they conferred upon the public mind. During the evening Captain Watts, travelling advisory superintendent of fire brigades, spoke most earnestly and eloquqently on the necessity for proper equipment. He pointed out that Pukekohe should possess a fire motor, a social room at the fire station, etc. He would be visiting Pukekohe officially in a short time and would then have something further to say on this matter, The Mayor and Cr, Patterson also spoke on the matter of equipping the brigade and assured the firemen present that as far as it zean !n the Council’s power to assist ih would do so.

Captain Watts then presented the following medals—Fireman L. Mitchell, five years’ service medal: exFireman W. Short, five years’ service medal; Captain N. L. Brown, Foreman W. Adams, Secretary H. J. Rollinson, two years’ service bars; Fireman H. Jones, gold medal for oneman carry; Fireman C. D. Jones, gold medal for one-mart championship; Captain N. L. Brown, gold medal for first in the two-men coupling, silver medal for second in the one-man carry, silver medal for second in the dressing event, and gold medal (presented" by Mr J. O’Malley) for aggregate points in competitions for the year, also the Wright Cup for aggregate points. Captain Brown now becomes the sole owner of the cup, having won it two years in succession. We believe it is his intention to represent it to the brigade for competitions to be won by the man who succeeds in getting his name on it most. The donor will not be competing for it, Fireman P. Jones, gold medal,.first in two-men carry; Foreman Adams, gold medal, winner of consolation race: Fireman Mitchell, silver medal, second consolation race; Secretary Rollinson, gold medal, sec-ond-one-man championship: Fireman H. Jones, gold medal, first dressing evnt. , Captain Brown presented Firemen H. Jones, C. D. Jones and P. -Tones each with tobacco pouches on behalf of the brigade on the occasion of their leaving Pukekohe. During the evening items were rendered by Messrs T. Walker, A. W. Oldham. Blanchard, A. Lakeman, H. V. Gribble, and J. O’Malley. The accompaniments were played by Mr K. L. Cannell. A lengthy toast list was duly honoured. Q