FIREMAN FAREWELLED

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1930, Page 3

FIREMAN FAREWELLED

DEPUTY-SUPT, G. J. KING. (Stratford “Evening Post” of Aug. 27th.) At a social gathering at the Fire Station last night, occasion was taken to hid farewell to Deputy-Super-intendent King and Airs King. On behalf of meriibcrs of the brigade, Superintendent L. B. Dawis jnesented Air King with a travelling bag and Airs King with a mantel clock. In making the presentations, Superintendent Davis, said the brigade regretted Air King’s departure very much. Air King had been a member of the brigade for sixteen years and his service throughout had been of the best.. He was going to Hokitika, and if lie joined the fire-fighting force there he would be joining one 7 of tire best brigades in the country. All’s King had always been a worker for the brigade. She , always came forward when there was anything for the lading to do, and her. departure would be a distinct loss to the brigade.

Or N. B. Fletcher said lie desired that the Mayor and the Borough Council might he associated with Speriniritendent Davis’ remarks. Mr King’s r ong record of voluntary work in the brigade should bo a fine example for the young people now joining the brigade.

Secretary P„ T. Aitken also spoke

Fireman E. Brocklebank, the oldest member of the brigade, spoke of his association with Air King in the field during the war.

Foreman J. Pearce mentioned that he and Air King had joined the brigade on the same night. As a member of Air King’s Lodge Air H. Sumerfield extended best wishes for the future.

• Responding, Air King said he keenly left leaving the brigade after so many years. He had had. pleasant times on the brigade and some hard fights as,, for instance, wheti the brigade were agitating for the new motor. ,He felt sure ho would feel at home at Hokitika, which was his. father’s old home. He had been a resident of Stratford for Thirty-eight years, and would always be eager to return at intervals to renew old acquaintances. Air King concluded by expressing thanks for the brigade’s handsome presents’.

[Air G. .T.' King is joining the firm of The Guardian and Times Goinna.ny, Ltd., and is taking up his duties shortly.] •” j'.jj ’.

The locals’ try came from a hMeant 'movement to AlcG.liie on the other wing. AlcGhie was held up,., hut Towers and. Malcolm ..came, round, and-the latter dummied past. Bowcott, . and. crossed easily. It was a magnificent exhibition of quick handling..'. Lawton’s kick failed,—Australia; . 3 Britain 0.

Britain’s expected superiority iri the second spell was not. forthcoming, The home pack remained solid, rucking tigjerishly, and winning tiie scrums. Ford did not come out to three-quar-ters in this game, and consequently Lawton arid Malcolm had a great share of the ball/ which they exploited.

Reeve, as wing, also used a long throw-in with advantage. MeGhie scored, after long pressure on Britain’s '25, Lawton’s genius showing again in a movement enabling Towers to draw the last defender. Ross failed to add the goal. —Australian 6; Britain 0. "From then on to the end of the. game, Spong rose to the greatest individual heights, and' broke through repeatedly. . r The British forwards, O’Neill, Ivor •Jones and Beamish, figured in many movements. The constant pressure suggested that the Australian line' would crack, but mishandling by Britain lost them scoring opportunities. Once Spong, after cutting in, seiit the ball out to a stream of forwards in a splendid position, only to sec it knocked on.

Aarvold marked in front, just blit of tho 25, but bis drop-kick was crude.

’Britain’s try followed the drop out, Boweott passing to Murray, who sent the ball back to Boweott, who pasesd to Reeve, but the big winger seemed to stop dead. Novis, however, was in a position and had time "to gather in tho ball and cross with the Australians out of position. Prentice goaled magnificently from a difficult ■ingle.-—Britain 5; Australia 6. . Just before the end, Spong’s lapt break through cut Lawton out, and he had two, forwards racing on Jijs right. Spong passed beautifully while approaching Ross, and Ivor Jones carried tup but lie was brought down heavily by Towers from behind, only two yards from the goal Tine. That was Britain’s last effort, and the game was in midfield" when the whistle sounded.

Twenty of the British players depart for Brisbane to-day. The others stay in Sydney. Mr Baxter is flying north to-mor-row.