A FIRE FIGHTER

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1926, Page 4

A FIRE FIGHTER

AND A PLAIN TALKER. !

AVELLINGTON, April 23

Afr J. Creeke, the new superintendent of the Wellington Fire Brigade, lm.s a direct way with him, and he apparently believes in getting in early with his criticisms. He rather staggered City Councillors last evening at a. social gathering of brigadesinen, when lie stated that the brigade was out of date, and the conditions of employment unsatisfactory. Tie said lie had already got some encouragement in that in addition to two short leaves during the week, he had been successful in obtaining 24 hours’ leave for the men each week. That meant that the men now Iliad three distinct breaks off duty. Superintendent Creeke said he was Mire lie would be able to give the city a. service second to none in the British colonies, and put the brigade in a lighting order to meet all emergencies. At present our appliances are of a very low standard, and barring the two hit ladders are really fit for the scrap heap,” lie said. “ One engine at Petone, which I saw recently is equal to our present equipment. Our brigade can be raised to the standard of efficiency, however, which will give citizens a fair return for their money.” The superintendent spid be would have to reorganise the service in the matter of appliances, and in the improvement of conditions for bis men. He had 40 men, of whom lie had found that 22 were only apprentices. Men in the past bad been leaving owing to the conditions. The profession would have to be made more attractive to the right class of man. It was not overv class of man that would make a good fireman. In Australia, owing to the conditions being more attractive, the service of the men had been prolonged greatly. The longest service man in the AVellington Brigade to-day bad put in sixteen years, and then there was a drop in the list to six years, while 32 of the men bad only three years of training. It. bad taken him six years to lieoomo a firstclass fireman in Australia, and twelve years to qualify as an officer.