The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, July 4, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1013, 4 July 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, July 4, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Lvkkv fire brigadesman from the North Cape to lUe Bluff is familiar vviih the name of J. G. Gilberd. This gentleman was lor a number of years secretary to the hire Brigades Association, aud his services aud advice were at ail times at the disposal of any firefighting body, aud many a modest country volunteer brigade has been able, through his advice aud sympathy, to keep its head above water aud render valuable assistance in fighting the firey demon. He is now actively connected with the Fire Brigades Supply Co., with headquarters at Napier. He, however, still retains a keen interest in all that pertains to fire brigades —apart altogether from the business he is now engaged in. On his return from Wellington, where he had been interviewing a Minister in respect to prospective legislatiou, he called in at Foxtcu. He interviewed the Mayor in respect to fire fighting appliances. What the result of the interview ■will be we do not know, but had we been notified at an earlier date that Mr Gilberd contemplated a visit to Foxton we should have urged the Mayor to convene a public meeting in order to arouse enthusiasm in respect to forming a local volunteer fire brigade, in conversation with us to-day, Mr Gilberd expressed surprise that Foxton had not an up-to-date fire brigade. Glancing down Main Street, he remarked that an outbreak of fire in our business thoroughfare, under present conditions, might easily sweep the whole of the town. He said an

initial outlay of £ 2OO would provide a manual engine and ample hose. He felt sure there were plenty of young fellows in the town who would give their services free in such a cause. He added that the cost of upkeep 0 plant was a mere bagatelle. A few wells in suitable localities would not cost much, and some of these could be filled from the overflow of verandahs of shops, etc. Possibly the Mayor will have something to say on this subject at the next meeting of the Borough Council.