NEW FIRE STATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4672, 10 March 1924, Page 2

NEW FIRE STATION.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING.

A lu.-lher important step in the progress of Paeroa was registered on 'l’liiU’. day evening lasi, when the new (ire brigade station was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. Marshall.

The iw statinn is centrally situaled in Hall Street, and i , a solid, commodmus building that should meet the requirements of the brigade for some fin'." !<> come. The entrance to the station is thr-nigh two large double doors which run on a patent sliding apparatus and open from the centre. The reel station provides ample room for cleaning and housing the file lighting appliances, and a bench is provided on which to carry out nKivhanical repairs. Passing through the reel station, on the left i>, to be iound a comfortable bedroom to accommodate two firemen, who will .sleep on the premises. The social and meeting room is a fine large room, and is attractively finished, well ventilated, and is provided with an open fire place. Beyond the social room is the borough workshop, and adjoining is a roomy dressing shed, provided with a shower bath and conveniences. The building throughout is lighted by electricity, and Is a decided improvement on the one foTneily occupied by the brigade. By eight o'clock a large crowd had assembled at the. station, at which time the Mayor addressed the gathering. His Worship referred to the fact that that evening the brigade could say farewell to its old quarters and rejoice in the new*station. On behalf of the brigade and borough council the Mayor said that he wished to express sincere thanks co the Ohinemuri County for the use of the building next to the county chambers that had housed the brigade for so many years. Although the county council had been in need of the building for its own uses for some time passed it had n.ot unduly pressed the brigade to seek new quarters, and the building had been rent fiee through all the years. The public as a whole was grateful to the county council, and he expressed appreciation of its hearty co-operation and civic spirit. Continuing, His Worship said that the new station was perhaps not an edifice to boast abotr —it had been erected for utility purposes, and as such he believed it would suffice for some time. The cost of the structure was as much as the ratepayers could afford at present, and it bad been opened free of debt, having been paid for from revenue received. Hearty thanks were due to Mr R. T. Roberts for designing the station free of charge, and to the contractors, who had tendered a keen price for the job. and had given faithful services, establishing a tribute to their integrity. A debt of gratitude was due to the fire council, under the able chairmanship of Cr. F. E. Flatt, for its efforts to provide the brigade with better accommodation and more up-to-date fire fighting appliances. Tn paying tribute to the, brigade the Mayor said that the firemen rendered magnificent work to the community, and were deserving of the fullest public support. The economic services rendered by a brigade were inestimable, and Paeroa people might justly feel proud of the long and distinguished service of Captain W. Moore, of the Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade. (Applause). It was hoped that under the better conditions the social side of the brigade's life would be increased and encouraged, and that many happy evenings would be spent in the station. Th? Mayor said that he hoped, in the near future, to see a marked improvement in local fire fighting appliances. The council was considering the purchase of'a motor reel. (Applause). As regards'the water reticulation, His Worship stated that July of this year would see the final payment to the Ohinemuri County Council for the purchase of the water supply, and then an improved reticulation scheme would be immediately considered. It would be necessary to raise a loan sufficient to carry out the improvements, hut the profits derived from the consumers would provide interest and a sinking fund on the loan. Tn conclusion His Worship apologised tc the brigade for the lack of furnishings for the station, and gave an assurance that a tender had been accepted, and the furniture could be expected within a few days. The station was then formally declared open.

Mr W. J. Ellis then went forward and handed the Mayor a photograph taken of the Paeroa Fire Brigade thirty years ago. The interesting relic was placed in the social room and was interestingly viewed by the gathering. Mr P. E. Brenan briefly stated tha: he viewed the new station "with pride am 1 pleasure, and trusted that the firemen would appreciate the publics efforts on their behalf. Endorsing the remarks of the Mayor on the question of more adequate fire prevention measures, Mr Brenan said that Paeroa at the present time was highly rated by the insurance com panie.s, and it was hoped by carrying out improvements to the water system and the purchase of a motor reel to reduce the premiums f>’oin 124 j per cent, to approximately 5 per cen-. (Applause). During the last few months tlie council had spent about £790 on fire prevention matters, and was prepared to go further, provided the hearty support and co operation of the ratepayers and public generally was received. He felt confident that the volunteer firemen could be safely relied on .to do their part, but they were entitled to support from the public.

Captain W. Moore, on behalf of tne brigade, briefly thanked the Borough Council for its efforts in providing the hew station, and stated that his men were fullj' appreciative of their now quarters. He wished to especially thank Mr Flatt for all he bad done to provide improvements for the brigade end he could assure the public that the men would continue to stick together and render loyal and efficient services to the community. (Applause).

THE SMOKE CONCERT. Immediately following the opening ceremony a smoke concert was held in the Central Theatre and over one hundred guests attended. A lengthv toast list was honoured and the evening spent in song and .story. HF Worship the Mayor, Mr W. Marshall, presided, and associated with him w”re Captains W. Moore, T. J. Watts, Mr F. E. Flatt (chairman of the Paeroa Fire Council), members o' the Borough Council, and officers of the Waihi. Thames, Tc Aioha, ami Morrinsvillc lire brigades. The gathering was fully representative of all classes of the community.

In proposing the toa,st of the United Fire Brigades’ Association, Mr P. E. Brenai! said that it might not be generally known that the association was the governing body of all the fire brigades in the Dominion, and to that body the brigades had to look for support and encouragement in carryiuy out its work of fire Drevention. The association had received a ’num* her of concessions from the Government in the past, and it was regrettable that the present Government, through.financial stringency, had seen fit to i educe the concessions considerably and it was to be hoped that as matters improved they would bo restored. Mr Brenan congratulated the local brigade on its efforts to carry on efficiently in the past in spite of many difficulties, and trusted that it would now prosper and continue its good work. Tn conclusion, ho extended a hearty welcome to Captain Watts, advisory superintendent of the United Fire Brigades Association., and called on him to reply to the toast. NEED FOR EQUIPMENT. On rising to respond Captain Watts was greeted with prolonged applause by many of his old comrades who were present. Addressing Hie gathering he expressed the pleasure that it gave him to be present on such an auspicious occasion and the opportunity to meet so many of his old comrades, stating that there was something sacred about the fraternity of fire, brigadesmem As advisory super intendent, Captain Watts said that his association was steadily growing and could now boast of controlling some 78 brigades, with a membership of over 3600 firemen. Dealing with accident insurance matters, the speaker explained that his association now had its own society, in which a (ireman by paying the sum of 3s 5d pc week was covered to the extent of £2 5s per week against accident arising from duty at a lire. The association had also .seriously tackled the insurance rates of fire risks on buildings with satisfactory results. He was of the opinion that the council should carry a floating policy against accident for the brigade, under its control, for the benefit of the services of a brigade to a local body more than warranted such a clause. Captain Watts said that he was agreeably surprised to find such a fine station, and ho could assure the gathering it had his hearty approval, and he had pleasure in passing it with commendation. He. had no hesitation in predicting a prosperous future for Paeroa. a.id the new station spoke well for the enterprise and enthusiasm bf its residents. Captain Watts said that there were two facts that would have to be considered immediately' by the Borough Council and they were a motor reel, and an increase in the size of the water pipes. Referring to the motor reel, he said that as the brigade had collected a sum of nearly £lOO it would surely not be a difficult matter for the Borough Council to raise the balance. Ho would be in favour of the purchase of a Ford one-ton truck, which could be fitted up suitably for under £3OO. He contended that it was absolutely essential that Paeroa should have a motor reel, and tlie brigade should not rest content until that reel was safely i'. the station. Paeroa was Jo v tunate-in having tire experience and services or a man like Captain Moore, and the firemen, too, were of a good type, and it was only fair that reasonable facilities should be afforded them. ‘'Regarding the water reticulation,” said Captain Watts, " the t.wo-ineh pipes must be increased to four inches at least. Four inch pipes were the minimum size recognised by the association for fire fighting purposes.”

ALARM SYSTEM. Speaking on the question of firealarms, Captain Watts said that for a. town the size of Paeroa he could not recommend the syren, and was of the opinion that a bell was more suitable. The. most satisfactory system of fire alarms, other than a costly automatic• alarm, was the single wiling system, which was not expensive to instal, entailt'd practically no maintenance, and was quite effective, especially when firemen were sleeping at the station. It was desirable that the brigade's officers and the turncock should always be linked up by telephone. ' THE SOCIAL SIDE. Captain Watts congratulated the firemen on having such a fine social room provided for them, and suggested that they should make the most of it and obtain a piano. The social sidc-of a brigadesman's life was very important and should not be neglected if the brigade wanted to hold its members together, said the speake.. Tn eoi c’usiou, Captain ■ Watts wished the men every good wish for the future, and counselled them to be loyal to their officers and io do thei’ utmost, to uphold the high traditionof an efficient fire fighter. Tumiim to the Mayor the speaker said that his association would be willing at all times to assist the council in every way possible. (Applause). The following toasts were also honoured Fire Council.” proposed bv Mr W H. Taylor, responded to by Mr F. E. Flatt; “ Local Bodies,” proposed by Major Andrews ; responded to by the Mayor: ‘Paeroa Fire Brigade,” proposed by Mr J. L. Hanna, responded to by Lieutenant E. Moore and Secretary Shaw. •PRESENTATIONS. Captain Moore made presentation.' of the two years’ service bars to the following :—Lieutenant E. Moore, 13 years’ service; Fireman C. Rolton 11 years’ service; Secretary E Shaw 13 years ; Fireman E. Martin.