HOKITIKA VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1928, Page 4

HOKITIKA VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho minimi meeting of members was held in the Brigade room. Town Hall, last evening at 8 o’clock. Present—Superintendent Braddon (in the Chair), Deputy-Superintendent McIntosh. 25 members, and two probationers. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence approved. TNWAH D CORRESPONDENCE.

From John Wallace tendering his resignation as a member of the Brigade.—Received. The Superintendent said he was sure lie was voicing the regret of all members at the resignations of Foreman Wallace, who had a wonderful term of service covering 54 years to the Brigade, Ho had boon a mem-

ber of the Brigade when the speaker had joined up as a lad of 18 years. He moved that the resignation he accepted with extreme regret, and that a letter he forwarded to Foreman Wallace expressing appreciation of tho long and faithful service rendered over a term of 54 years and the regret of members at the necessity of the severing the long connection with the Brigade. The motion was seconded by Foreman McGregor and carried.

Deputy-Superintendent Afejntosli referring to the resignation of Foreman Wallace deeply regretted the wheels of time had forced him to put in his resignation. Time was the controller of all things and had forced the action that they all regretted. He moved that Foreman Wallace ho elected a life honorary member of the Brigade in appreciation of past services. Fireman C. Ross seconded the motion and voiced appreciation of the long service of Foreman Wallace. Foreman McGregor also spoke in appreciative terms of the long service and good work. The motion conferring a life honorary membership on Foreman AA'allaco was then agreed to, with applause. From .1. G. Bakin resigning membership of the Brigade after 23 years sendee.—Received. Deputy-Superin-tendent AfoTntosh said lie would like Afr Bakin to reconsider his decision and agree to carry on for at least a couple of years until lie was entitled to receive his gold medal for 25 years of continuous service. (Applause). Fireman C. Ross seconded the motion and endorsed the hope that Air Bakin would continue to carry on for a further period. Foreman AlcGrcgor spoke in support, expressing the hope that their Secretary would accede to their request . Secretary Bakin who was warmly received, agreed to withdraw his resignation, owing to the expressions bv members.

The Secretary reported that a number of officers and men were entitled to further service honours. It was resolved to make the usual application for same to the Fire Board. REPORTS. The Treasurer reported the teams fund showed receipts £ls 10s and with cash in hand a total of £3O 5s 2d. The expenditure was £24 ss, leaving a credit balance of £0 Os 2d. The members fund showed receipts amounted to £76 10 and with cash in hand a total of £7B 11s 2d. The expenditure totalled £SB 7s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £2O 3s Sd.—Received and adopted. The. Superintendent, referred to the very satisfactory condition of the

finances. This was solely due to the generosity of the townspeople who hud given a number of valuable donations in appreciation of the services of the Brigade-

Officers reported on the condition of the gear under their charge, as being generally satisfactory. Mr Erie Lakin who had served a term as probationer, was elected a member to fill a vacancy. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT, I have the honour' to report, that the year now ended, has been from a Brigade point of view rather a busy one. We received and turned out to nine fire calls. Some of these calls were to outbreaks of a very serious nature, hut were extinguished quickly by your determined and efficient efforts, atul I desire to thank you for the close attention you pay to practices, which alone made possible that happy result. The samples of undress uniforms received look neat and appear to meet with general approval. All members who desire to obtain one of these uniforms should call on Fireman Ballinger. who has kindly undertaken to take the necessary measurements. Two of the wells in Revell Street, recently proved defective. In one cacs the suction pipe had rusted through and in the other the timbering had given away allowing the sand to"partly fill the well. Tim Borough Council, however, have gone to considerable expense in the matter and now both wells arc in a satisfactory condition. The number of letters of appreciation received by tbc Brigade is very gratifying, showing plainly that our townsfolk value highly the prompt assistance you render to all who ic-

qiu.ro your help. In conclusion I desire to thank yo

all for the unvarying courtesy and respect you have always shown to me during the forty-eight and a halt years, l have had the very great pleasure and honour to be a member of this Brigade and now that the time has arrived for me to stop out of your ranks, I can honestly say I iiavo enjoyed every minute of it, and that the only regret I have is that although the spirit is willing, the

flesh is unable, through age, to carry on longer, and I assure you that I deem it a very great honour, to have been so long a member and officer oi a body of men whose sole object is tlie help that they can give in times of trouble.—Received. Mr Braddoii referring to his retirement expressed his very deep icgret. at the action that he found necessary. Personally the time had come when ho felt he could not fmtlioi' continue in office as Suporinteml-

(u reply to a request to luithei continue Mr Braddoii stated he was reluctantly compelled to decline. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Superintendent—Deputy-Superinten-dent Mclntosh and Foreman Williams were nominated, the former being elected after a ballot by 17 to 8, subject to approval of the I'ire Board. Superintendent Mclntosh thanked members for his selection, assuring his utmost endeavours to follow the footsteps of their retiring Superintendent who had been a tower of strength to the Brigade both in active work and socially.

Foreman Williams congratulated Deputy-Superintendent Mclntosh on his election and assured him of his host support in the work of the Brigade. Deputy-Superintendent —Foreman' J. Williams and Foreman Ecu Ross wore nominated and a ballot resulted in the election of Foreman Leu Ross by Id to 10. Foreman Lon Ross expressed bis appreciation of the vote of membets. He would do his best for the year and trusted his services would he worthy of their support. Foreman AV illiams congratulated Foreman Ross. Secretary—Secretary Lakin was reelected unanimously for the fourteenth time.

A vote of thanks was passed to the

Auditor . The roll was then called and the meeting terminated.