FIRE BRIGADE SOCIAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5275, 16 May 1928, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE SOCIAL

PRESENTATION OF HONOURS

NOTABLE GATHERING AT PAEROA

One of the most notable gatherings yet held by the Paeroa Volunteer; Fire Brigade took place on Saturday night at the Gaiety Theatre supper-rooms. The local superintendent, Mr W. J. Moore, presided over an attendance of about 120 persons, including Superintendent Greig and members of the Morrinsvilje brigade, Superintendent Stamp and members of tire Waihi brigade, Superintendent A. Garratt and members of the Thames brigade, Superintendent T. Anderson and members of the Rotorua brigade, and. Superintendent C. Gilbert and members of the Onehunga brigade. Apologies ifor absence were received from Mi} A. M. Samuel, M.P.. the. Mayor (Mr. W. .Marshall), the Northcotc and Green Lane brigades, and a number of local citizens. After the toast of “The King” had been honoured., Superintendent Moore stated that the function had been, arflanged in order to fittingly honour Fireman W. E. Ward, of the local brigade, who would that night be presented with a gold star in recognition of 25 years’ service. The honour of gaining a gold, star, and the importance attached to the coveted decortion, was clearly shown by the representative gathering of firemen present, many of whom had travelled a considerable distance in oifcler to do honour to the recipient. / A length}’ telegram was read from Superintendent A. Melville, of the Kaponga brigade, in. which Fireman Ward had sei-ved for some years as superintendent, congratulating him on obtaining the decoration and wishing him long life and happiness. Durng the eventing a number of toasts were honoured, anti in, addition to enjoyable selections by the Hauraki Orchestra Messrs E : . Edwards, W. Campbell. C. Holes, and E. L. Shaw contributed towards the entertainment of those present.

In proposing the toast of “Local Bodies” Mr W. H. Taylor said' that although he had reached: the'“sear and yellow leaf” stage, he still took a keen interest in local government matters, and especially fire brigade affairs. The men- who served on local bodies had much to contend with, especially in regard to i/>ad and traXfle problems. It should, he said, be the duty of every person to take an interest in his own town and district. In conclusion he counselled ratepay* ers to assist, co--'operate with, and support the representatives who were prepared to give their best services for the advancement of the town or district in which they lived. In responding to the toast Gi’i.J. W. Silcock assured the gathering that a man did not serve on a council because lie desired to gain something for himself ; generally liis : roads and footpaths were’the last to receive attention. Referring to the heavy cost of the upkeep of roads, due to the unprecedented increase in-motor traffic. the speaker paid a tribute to the Government for its action in forming the- I&ain Highways Board, which, he .-said, would greatly relieve the taxpayer bf.charges for unusual maintenance., The Paeroa Borough Council was doing all it could to serve the burgesses faithfully and assist with the advancement and progress off. the town, and at the same time keep tlie rates down as low, as possible. In conclusion he congratulated Fireman Ward on hjs well-deserved honour. Cr. E. A. Porritt said that councillors served voluntarily and in the- interests of the community. Paeroa was fortunate in having such an up-to-date and enthusiastic brigade, and behalf of the council he wished to congratulate Superintendent Moorq on the high standard of efficiency reached and the willing services rendered by his brigade. ' PRESENTATION OF GOLD STAR In .presenting Fireman W. E. Ward with a- gold star in recognition of 25 years’ service as a volunteer fireman, Superintendent A. Garratt (Thames) sa'u that a man with so long a service y as deserving of som'b tangible recognition. The speaker traversed tlie history of the efforts, of the United Fire Brigade’s Association, to provide a gold rtar for, 25 years’ service. At the time the decision was reached it was thought that there would be very few aspirants for the honour. However. a great mistake had been made, as there had now been a great number awarded. Fireman Ward had rendered noble service, and had served in four different brigades in various parts of New Zealand, which went to show his, keen interest in fire-fighting w-c-rk.

In pinning the star on Fireman Ward the speaker thaniked him for the great service he had rendered and congratulated him on winning the 'highest award to be obtained in a volunteer, brigade-. He alsp expressed the hope that the recipient would long be spared to wear the decoration. In proposing the toast of “Fireman Ward” Mr E. Edwards, on behalf of the people of Paeroa, extended hearty congratulations and sincere thanks to him. Continuing, he said that it was not only as a fireman that the guest of tlie evening had; won fame?. The greatest compliment that could be pa’d to a fellow citizen was, to be able to say that he is. a white man and a gentleman, and there could be no doubt that Mr Ward had those attributes. (Applause.) As an instance of the manly qualities and faithfulness to <luty -d£ Mr Warjd. it was perhaps not generally known that he had been superintendent of tlie brigades at Kaponga. and was later transferred to Hun-tly, where there was no proper brigade. However, Mr Ward was always, on tlie job, and r.esn'deredi .valuable assistance whenever there was any fire-fighting to be done. After spending some years at Huntly Mr Ward was transformed to Paeroa. Owing to the local brigade having its full complement of officers, he dropped his rank of superintendent and joined up as an ordinary fireman, in which capacity lie had performed valuable; service to the town. (Applause.) Mi- Edwards also T;frfesrr.e<l to tlie long and faithful service, extending

over 40 years, which Mr Ward had given in the Post and Telegraph Department, and it was a fitting end to such a long and honourable career, he said, that Mr Ward should now be enjoying the fruits of his labour in retii,ement on superannuation. The speaker said he felt sure that he. was voicing the feelings of a wide circle of friends in wishing their friend long life, pi asperity, and every happiness, and also that he might long be spa ibi) to wear the decoration: thill he hud 1 justly merited. The toast was drunk with musical honours.

In rising to respond. Fireman Ward was received with an outburst of cheering and prolonged applause. Fireman Ward said that the rece'pt of. his decoration, meant to him the ptjoudeSt moment of his life. He had been struggling for thei honour since September 1, 1891, and although it ha<l been a long struggle it had never been a hopeless one. He was unable to adequately thank those who. had made such kind references,, but he was grateful for the congijatulationP and the honour accorded him that evening. His life had been a full one, as lie had completed 40 years’ service as a Civil Servant, and had earned the gold star for brigade service. However, he had a “kick left yet.” and so long as health and strength abided with him he would continms to <l< what he could to assist a fire brigade wherever, he might be living. (Applause, and the singing o f “Fbr He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”) OTHER DECORATIONS.

In presenting Dr, G. T. Smith with a gold bar to his star, dtenotiiig 28 years’ service as honorary surgeon to the Paeroa brigade, Supeflintendent Moore extended hearty congratulations to the recipient and expressed the hope that he would be spared t 0 receive many morje gold bars. The members of the brigade were proud of their surgeon, and on their behalf he wished 'him good health, long life, and prosperity. Dr. Smith br’efly thanked the superintendent for his eulogistic remarks and the members for. their kind wishes. Other presentations made were to Foreman H. Wilton., silver; bar to five, years’ medal (seven years’ service) ; "Fireman H. Robinson, silver meida! (five years’ service).; and Secretary C. W- Malcolm, a frjamed certificate (three years’ service). Each recipient was heartily congratulated by Super* intendent Moore, and in thamking them for services rendered he counselled them to carry on with the good work and strive for. higher honours. THE ASSOCIATION. In proposing the toast of “The United Fire Brigades’ Association Mr W. D. N'cholas said that he had always taken a keen - interest in firefighting matters, and as a member of the Paeroa Fire Prevention Council, which was afterwards absorbed by the Borough Council, he had gained a close insight into the splendid work performed by the U.F.B.A. The work of 'the association was widespread, helping as it did till volunteer brigades in reducing to a minimum fire wastage in the Dominion. As a governing body the association was ever ready to assist brigaded as a whole, as, well as the fire-fighters individually.

In responding, superintendent Gaif ratt, past-president of the association. said that 49 years ago the association had been, formed ini the South Island, and at that time there were only five brigades, belonging to it. The association now controlled 114 brigades. with a membership of over 3000 firemen. The association had been formed with the object of creating efficiency in brigades and combating fire wastage by scientific means. The speaker, deprecated the action of tlie Government in ‘reducing the annual grant made to the association, and also the curtailing of railway warrants to bona fide firemen attending conferences and demonstrations. He had just returned} from Wellington, where -representations had beenmade to the Department of Internal Affairs, which department governed tlie U.F.8.A., and he was, pleased to say that there was every prospect of having the privileges restored. (Applause.) Steps had been taken when in Wellington to interest the Director, of Education in considering the possibility df teaching school children something of fire prevention. WORK OF SECRETARY MALCOLM. Superintendent Gilbert (Onehunga) also a past-president of the U.F.8.A., confined his remarks to the splendidwork of a Dominioik-widei importance which had been started by Secretary Malcolm, of Paeroa. This young and enthusiastic fireman, he said, liadcomposed a s,et of lessons in! fire prevention for the use of teachers for thei instruction of primary school children. The scheme had been thoroughly discussed and approved of by the recent conference of the association, and had also eben accepted by the Director of Education, who had given, a promise that the lessons would be infcluded'in the new syllabus to be issued by the Education Department. Too much credit could not be g'ven to Secretary Malcolm, who had already had the lessons introduced at the Paeroa District High School. The sytsem when it became Dominionwide woukj prove an important factor in fire prevention work, and Secretary Malcolm was deserving bf congratulation. on his foresight and enthusiasm. (Applause.) Superintendent J. Anderson. (Rotorua), another past-president of the U.F.8.A., extended congratulations to the recipients of honours that night, and urged them to continue their good work and not relax until they reached the top rung of the ladder and became proud wearers, of the gold star. GOLD STAR WEARERS.

In proposing the toast of “The Goil.d Star Wearers” Mr Edwards said that the gatheiing that night was an unique one because it was a rare tbing. especially in a small town, to find a gathering of firemen five of whom were the proud possessors of the gold star, denoting 25 years or more of service. He referred to Superintendents Garratt and Moore. 32 years; Fireman Alexander (Thames), 29 years; Secretary Jenkins, (Thames-)-29 years ; and Dr; Smith (Paeroa), 28

years. The members of the respective brigades might well be proud of their mates who had served such length} periods with credit and honour, a.nd in proposing their health he congiatulated them and wished them continued sugeess, good health, and prosperity. In responding. Fireman Alexander said .that he well remembered Superintendent Garratt and himself driving to Paeroa to lend a hand in forming the Paeroa brigade. Things very different then, and was also a very different proposition. He was proud of his star, and could say unhesitatingly that it was well woith striving for. He also enjoyed his visits to Paeroa, where the brigade was favourably known- for its unbounded hospitality and comradeship. On. behalf of the Thames brigade he wished to thank Superintendent Moore for, the enjoyable evening spent, and also to extend hearty congratulations to Fireman, Ward. The other speaker to respond was Secretary Jcfnkins (Thames), who said that theire was a special affinity between the Thames and Paeroa brigades. Superintendent Moore had first become interested in fire-fighting at Thames, and the fact that two of. the oldest members should have helped Paeroa form its brigade caused l a lasting linik of interest. The two highest offices in the U.F.B.A-, namely. those of president and superintcndeitl of the U.F.B.A. Accident Society, were held at the same time by Superintendents Garratt and Moore respectively. It was a. coincidence that of all the brigadte officers in the Dominion the two positions should have been held by superintendents: of neighbouring towns, and almost lifelong friends. Referring to the necessity bf having to raise funds to carry on its activities, the speaker said that while a fire brigade might be regarded as a necessary evil, the fact could not be disguised that it was a part of thei responsibility of a municipality, and if the local body starved the brigade it could not function’. A point worth remembering was that every -member was a volunteer, who gave his services freely and ungrudgingly. As out- . breaks of fire did not occur to timetable a fireman never knew when, his a services might be required: but, even so, he was never found shirking his job. In appealing to the public for assistance the speaker said he would stress that it was only by support that there came the best response. Other toasts honoured were : “Visiting Firemen,” proposed.by by Lieutenant E. Moore (Paeroa), anjd responded to by Superintendent Greig (Morrlnsville) and Foreman Grant (Onehunga) ; “The Press.” proposed by Superintendent Garratt and responded to by Messrs, W. D. Nicholas and W. LLawrence ; and. “Superintendent Moore.” proposed by Mr. J. W. Silcock. In responding. Superintenident Moore thanked all who had assisted with the function, and especially the orchestra. A special tribute was. paid to those firemen who had travelled a long distance in order to do hon’our to Fireman Ward. Paeroa welctnmy them, and the brigade was gratCTUi to them, and he wished them all a safe return to their homes. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and. the National Anthem brought to a close one of the most enjoyable and memorable functions in the history of the brigade.