PUBLIC MEETING

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1928, Page 6

PUBLIC MEETING

A pn'ihlic meeting was lir-l.d in (lie Town Hail last (‘veiling in connection with the arrangements lor the approaching Fire Brigade Association demonstration to lie held at the end of February.

The Mayor (Mr G. A. Terry) presided and opened toe meeting outlining the proposal stating on a former occasion a very successful coniorenee and demonstration had lieen carried out, and he had no douht that the coming gathering would he as successfully carried out. He asked Superintendent .Mclntosh who was in attendance to outline tlie proposals that were desired to bring forward. Superintendent .Mclntosh said there had been a successful conference and demonstration held here some eighteen years ago and there should he no dillieulty in making the necessary arrangements. There would he upwards of ■IOO firemen here from seven to ten days, and ii would he necessary to arrange for their entertainment during their stay here. In connection with Lhe demonstration the prize money to he found would be £'■ ot which the N.Z.F.B.A. would provide 0100. leaving £2'2~> to bo arranged lor, while ho estimated that about another £l.7b would be required for entertainment purposes, a total of about £|dO. It would la* necessary to take the visitors' to one of tin* lake's and he suggested Lake .Mahinamia as that would be the easiest available as tlierailway service could he utilised. They had already a grant of CHI') from the N.Z.F.B.A. and nearly £IOO as the result of the recent entertainment, lie moved that those present form themselves into >a Citizen Committee and that Messrs Coles and T'.vans he requested to act as joint secretaries. Hon. 11. li. Michel seconded I lie motion, lie also regretted the attendance was not larger. The event would Im* a big one for the town. On the last occasion the citizens did well, and there was not a penny of the guarantee called on. That the demonstration was an important one could be gathered from the tact that the* Government gave 0!) and free passages on the railways throughout New Zealand to the contesting tiremen. They must look for substantia! support of the project, which would be of substantial benefit to the town. They had (‘Very opportunity of mak-e ing the proposal a very fine success, lie had pleasure in seconding the motion.

The motion was agreed to on tin voices.

Mr Ryans said the attendance of the public was distinctly a. disappointment. It would be necessary that matters should be ■'• !on a.s much as possible. Tt wo- i i be advisable D> wait on the hotelkeepers, motor prourietors, and others who would specially benefit and lie suggested a guarantee .should be asked for. '! lie question of entertainments necessary were referred to and lie suggested that a draft programme be made out and circulated among the Brigades at once, so as to enable 1 belli to know the general arrangements being made. Superintendent Mclntosh said (hat the programme for I lie demonstration would he carried out by the .Fir?: Brigades Association. What the townspeople had to arrange lor was the entertanment of the visitors. Mr Jeffries said the small attendance at the meeting should not detci those present. The object of the demonstration was. a very commendable one. The question of lima nee was nmol' which lie had no doubt, that there would lie no difficulty in earrving ii out. He suggested the line of action followed on the occasion ol lhe late successful exhibit ion should lie earrie' 1 out by means of a guarantee lund. He moved to that effect.

Mr Heinz supported the suggestion of Mr Jeffries and urged Dial the country people he urged to take an active part in the proposal.

Tbe motion of .Mr .Jeffries was agreed to. Mr Dakin minted the draft prograin--1110 of t.lie donionsl ration Imd been printcd and aonl. out I'm* of charge l»y the Association. Afr Dnlf said they could safety leave the carrying out of the proposals to the executive officers. He had no doubt that the townspeople would give their support to the movement.

Mr Evans said he would like to have Mr La kin added to the secretaries. He slices ted that an executive consisting of the Mayor, Deputy-May-or, Hon. Michel, Superintendent and Deputy-Superintendent to meet early next week.

Superintendent Mclntosh suggested adding Messrs 0. Hein/, and E. \V. Heenan to the executive. This was approved and added to, and the motion was agreed to. with Air Dakin as an additional Joint Secretary. Hon. .Michel said while they asked for a guarantee fund they hoped to make the demonstration self supporting as it had been on the previous

occasion. It was resolved that the Executive meet on Tusday at 7.3 p.m.

P ROPOSED R.ECOG NITION.

Superintendent Ardutosh referred to the long and faithful service rendered by ox-Superintondont Braddon who had been a 'fireman for 48] years for 17 years of which lie had been Superintendent. He suggested that a public presentation be made in recognition of those extraordinary long services.

, The Mayor endorsed the proposal which lie considered a very fitting one. It was a very special occasion and he knew of no greater service to the town than that tlio firemen rendered. ATr Braddon’s sorvjiPes pvere of an exceptional nature and deserved special recognition.

The motion was put and carried.

A discussion took place on the course to be piusued and ult ima-icly this matter was referred to the Executive Committee to deal with and take the necessary action, it being suggesied the presentation take place during the Dcmonstration week. The meeting then rose with a vote to the .Mayor for presiding.