HOKITIKA FIRE BRIGADE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1925, Page 3

HOKITIKA FIRE BRIGADE

Tuesday evening. Present—Superintendent Br addon, Deputy-Superinten-dent Williams and 20 members. The minutes of the annual meeting were read and confirmed and the outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDEXCE. From Fire Board granting authority to procure helmets and new standard branches; also confirming the appointment of Air C. W. Braddon, and Mr -J. J. Williams as Superintendent and Deputy for the ensuing year.—Received. Supt. Braddon stated that the .Secretary of the Spinsters Ball Committee had kindly offered the loan of tno decorations used at their Ball to decorate the Hall on the occasion ol the Fire Brigade Annual Ball to be be, on Sept. 9th. The offer was accepted and the Secretary instructed to write and thank the Secretary for their kindness. From Borough Council stating that the lire plugs complained of had been attended to by the Borough Overseer and were now in good order.—Received. From Hospital Committee asking for the use of Brigade Hall on the nights of their annual ball.—Received; the Secretary’s action in granting .same was confirmed unanimously. The treasurer’s statement showing a credit balance ol £lB 10s 8d was received a.s satisfactory. Officers reported the gear in good order and the new Compton Branches had conic to hand. Engineer -Mclntosh, invited the officers and members of the Brigade to spend a social evening at the Club Rooms to celebrate the occasion of the 20th. Birthday of liis son, Fireman J. Mclntosh junr. The invitation was accepted and adjoining to the Club Room it pleasant surprise awaited them. The tables were tastefully decorated and a bottn-t-ilul supply of dain-y refreshments of till kinds thereon. Mr J. J. Mclntosh with Mrs .Mclntosh occupied the bead of the table, and welcomed the firemen and asked them to make themselves at home, and do justice to the good things before them. .Supt. Braddon on liehalf of the members thanked Mr and Mrs Mclntosh and said it was very difficult for him t.i express their appreciation of the many kindnesses shown to the 15rig:u.\ On many previous occasions they had entertained the members, but this time they bad surpassed all their previous efforts. He bad much pleasure in proposing the health of Fireman Mclntosh JUnr., and wished him many happy returns of his birthday, lie was pleased he was a member of tho Brigade in which his father was such a valued member. The toast was drank with musical honours. Engineer Mclntosh in reply thanked Supt. Braddon for the kind remarks to himself and Mrs Mclntosh and said he appreciated the good wishes, but what they did was a pleasure to do for the members of the Brigade. He was pleased bis son Jack had taken on tho good work, and lie hoped as long as lie was in Hokitika he would continue in the Brigade, lie thanked the proposer of the toast, and t.he members lor the hearty way in which they received it. The members then did justice to tho OT U)i I things placed before (hem, .spending a pleasant hour with anecdote and story. PRESENTATION OF HONORS. During the evening Supt. Braddon to >k the opportunity uf presenting the service honors due to the Billowing members: Deputy J. J. Williams, 1-2 year Bar making 17 years’ service. Foreman J. Wallace, 1 gold bar. •>! years’ service. Eng. Mclntosh. 1 silver bar 23 years’ service. Eng. J. Findlay. 1 silver bar, HI years service. Foreman J. Put-bush, I silver bar, making 15 vea-is’ servito. T. Stickles, I silver bar, making 11 years’ service. F. Lynch. 1 silver, making 7 years’ service. See. Lukin. 1 silver Bar. making 18 years’ service. Fireman A. Duncraft, I svr. medal, 5 years. Fireman .1. Wilson, the I .F.B.A. gold star for 25 years' continuous .-e. vice. Supt. Braddon in presenting the bars and medal, complimented the members on carrying the much coveted rewards and lio] ed they would be spared to receive many more. In speaking of Foreman J. Mai lace be said bis record of 51 years was unique in the history ol lire Brigade work, lie did not think it could be equalled anywhere in New Zealand. Fireman J. ’Wilson’s was also a good ret ord ami the gold star is the highest honour that can lie conferred on a fireman by tile U.F.B.A. Every member was accorded hearty applause from their brother firemen oil receiving their various lioiimim. Tlie recipients each expressed their thanks for the honour given them, Fireman Wilson stating that it was only bis leaving the district- that made him resign from the Brigade, blit lie still bad a lively interest in tbo doings of the H.Y.F.B. Supt. Braddon tin* it proposed the toast of the recipients oi the honours which was drank. Tile toast- of the “Host and Hostess” proposed by Superintendent Braddon was most enthusiastically drank with musical honours. Further toasts to the Sit. ei'intenilentthe Fire Board, and several others interspersed with old-time stories, concluded the most enjoyable evening the Brigade lias had, at 11 p.m.