HOKITIKA FIRE BRIGADE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1926, Page 2

HOKITIKA FIRE BRIGADE

ANNUAL MEETING. FRIDAY, MAY 28th. The annual meeting of the Drigado was held at 8 p.m. Present—Superintendent Braddon (in the chair), Deputy Superintendent Williams and 24 members. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved and inward correspondence received. Tlie- various officers reported the gear jin substations under tlidir dharge were all in good order. The Teams Fund showed receipts £3O ‘>s (including proceeds of ball £l9 8s) and payments £4B 18s lid, leaving a credit balance oi £1 3s Id. Received.

Tlie balance sheet showed the receipts amounted to £4l os Id, including £0 16s 3d brought forward. The payments totalled £34 Os 2d leaving a credit balance to start the year of £7 4 s lid.—Received and adopted. Foreman J. J. AlcTntosli donated £2 2s to the fund.—Received with acclamation.

On the motion of the Superintendent a vote of thanks was passed to Fireman Kearns, who recently resigned from the Brigade, owing to ins leaving the town.

SUPER IXTEXDEXT’S REPORT. Superintendent Uraddon reported as follows

Gentlemen,—T have the honor to report the close of another year of successful effort by this Brigade. Although the outbreaks of fire during this term were attended by far greater loss than usual, the Brigade has every reason to feel satisfied, for judging by the numerous letters of thanks and appreciation wo have received, you enioy the confidence and respect of our townfolk, who rely on you as an over-ready shield in time of danger. This high place In tlie public’s estimation, is due to your close attention to practice muster and Brigade work .generally, wlucli lias given me great pleasure.

At tho fire in Baty’s Garage, a. serious weakness was proved to have developed in our fire alarm system, this fault was evidently caused by the addition from time to time of extra telephones. with the result that at this firo the load proved too much for the three hundred O.AL battery which worked the system and the alarm was so weak it failed to awake the turncock, and we lost precious time waiting for full pressure. However, immediately after with commendable promptness the local telephone office installed a one thousand O.AL battery and the result is very marked, a. far stronger ring is received by all connections. In order that the position may be still further improved the Borough Council has wisely installed an alarm telephone at Air AY. Gaoler's residence—so- now if one turncock through any reason fails to hear the fire cal! the other one is reasonably sure to hear it.

I desire to compliment the team that represented us at Dunedin. The generally accepted order of merit at a- demonstration is the prize list, this places our team seventeenth out of eighty teams who competed, so we must all agree we were worthily represented. Some time ago I intimated my intention to retire from active service at this meeting on tlie ground of advancing years, but it has been represented to me by many of our members, that the notice I gave was too short and that in tlie best interests of the Brigade I should serve another year. If such is the general feeling, I will leave tlie matter in your hands, and wilL cheerfully endeavour to carry on for another year if you so desire.' -—Received. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following officers were elected: — Superintendent—Air AV. C. Braddon (re-elected unanimously). Tn thanking members for the honor done in re-electing him Superintendent Braddon said lie appreciated the special request made by the Mayor and citizens to continue for a further year, and in accordance with their wish, and that of the Brigade lie had acceded t--» their request. He felt, however, that tho time was coming when lie must retire from the position he had held for so long. Deputy-Superintendent. DeputySuperintendent AVilliams and Foreman H. Thompson were nominated, Dept.Supfc. Williams retiring in Air Thomnson’s favour and the latter was declared elected. Foreman Thompson returned thanks thanking members for their selection and promising his best efforts to carry out tlie duties of the office. Supt. Braddon moved a hearty vote of thanks to Dept.-Supt. Williams for his past services, tributiug tlie cx—lent manner in which lie had "carried out his duties in the past. Seconded by Foreman Thompson and carried by acclamation. Deputy-Supt. Williams returned thanks for tlie recognition of his services. stating lie would continue to do his best for the welfare of the Brigade. Secretary and Treasurer, Fireman J. G. Lakin. (re-elected). A list of honors due was read and it was resolved to apply to the Firo Board for authority to procure same. It was mention than Foreman J. J. Mclntosh would qualify for a gold medal for 25 years’ service on AI ay 2nd next. Members reported generally that their uniforms were in fairly good order, qxcopt that a number of helmets wore required, which are under order. Foreman H. Steel who acted as delegate at the annual conference of the N.Z. Fire Brigades Association in Dunedin, handed in a report of the proceedings.—Received and a vote of thanks passed to the delegate. A vote of thanks to tlie Auditor, Foreman H. Thompson, and also to the Secretary (Foreman Lakin) was passed. A vote of thanks was.passed to tho press for support accorded. Tiie roll was then called and the meeting then terminated at 9.15 p.m., members then adjourning to the Club Room when an hour was spent in good fellowship.