FIRE BRIGADE ENTERTAINED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2596, 21 June 1923, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE ENTERTAINED.

BY FIRE BOARD. In connection with the opening of the local Fire Station, the Fire Board entertained members of the local Brigade at a smoke concert last night. The function was to have been held in tlie social room of the station, but owing to the damp nature of the building, the Board decided to hold the function in Mi’ Walls’ tea rooms. The room was tastefully decorated and the table presented a very festive appearance. There were present some forty persons, including the Board members, Inspector Hugo, Mr Bews, the architect (Mr L. G. West), and members of the Levin Fire Board and Brigade. Apologies for absence were received from Mi 1 J. Linklater, M.P. and Messrs Coley, Poole and Orr. Mi - Hornblow (Board Chairman) presided and welcomed those present. The first toast to be honoured was that of “the King,” followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Mr Cx-ay in addressing the gathering, said that he had been asked to speak on “Fire Boards.” This

was a difficult thing for an insurance man to do. He outlined the powers and duties of fire boards and their operations in saving life and property. The formation of the local Board would be justified by results. As a member of Fire Boards, he had been brought into touch with a body of men whom'he wanted to keep in touch with. He hoped the volunteer spirit would never die. He hoped the local brigade would carry on the good work they had started and he felt sure that they would find the members of the Board behind them in the matter of equipment and social recreation. In return the Board looked to the Brigade to continue the humane work they are doing and which they have creditably done in the past. The formation of a Fire Board benefits the ratepayers of the town. The object of insurance companies was to minimise loss. It was all very well to talk about the “huge profits” the insurance companies are making. One day they may be able to boast of their profits but six months later the ledger gets knocked in the opposite direction. He congratulated the recent chairman (Mr Chrystall) on the extent to which the Board had gone to have a properly equipped and efficient brigade in Foxton. Fire Boards must extend. Property going up in smoke was a national loss. Tl didn’t matter what insurances were on a place, the country still lust by fire destruction. It was a pleasure for him to be associated witli tlie local Board. In reference to the local station, much had yet to lie done to complete it. However, before long they would have the station well furnished and well equipped. He would like to see a billiard table in the station. He also referred to the Department of Internal Affairs. All Fire Boards were controlled by this department who cnrefullv watched all operations of those bodies. The Department of Internal Affairs had a very capable gentleman as its head. They we:o willing to assist. (ho boards hut <• :re fully cheeked all expenses and saw I hat the affairs were well conducted. For-the carrying out of this work they focussed lheir attention on Inspector Hugo, old ami (mined tire brigade officer, who had probably forgotten more about fire fighting matters than a. lot of people had learnt (applause). The Foxton Fire Brigade was fortunate in having Inspector Hugo to imy them periodical visits. Tli-. visits would make tin- men of the brigade more efficient. He bad much pleasure in proposing the feast of the Department of Internal Affairs, coupled with the name of Inspector Hugo.

Inspector Hugo, on visum" to reply wa» greeted wills a round of applause. He thanked the previous speaker for his kind remarks, and said he would like to say a few words on "lire j n ventinp.” He said lie had been talking on this subject 4'or many years now and at one time had thought bis was but “a voice crying in tlie wilderness,” but now he was beginning to see results. The fire loss of New Zealand amounted to a. million a year. Whv no particular effort was made to grapple with this loss is one of the tilings lie could not understand, nor could he account for the apathy of the public in this matter. One often heard the remark after a fire: “Was the owner insured,” and if the answer was in the affirmative, (he reply would be: “Oh, well, it’s

::11 right.” The insurance companies pay out certainly, but that money comes out of tbe people’s own pockets. It is collected by a more or lelss general tax in tlie way of premiums and paid out as occasion requires. However, that did not alter the fact that, a fire was a national loss. It was irrecoverable. £1,000,000 a year, New Zealand’s fire loss, was a heavy drain on tbe country. Yet, owing to general and public apathy, no steps were taken to deci-ca.se this amount. If sheep owners were losing sheep to a quarter tlie extent there would soon be a petition to Parliament to remedy the evil. In reference to the Board be said that the Foxton Fire Board lias done more in its first twelve months than any other Board in New Zealand had done (applause). They had made a very good start. In connection with tlie Brigade, he said that when a man joins a brigade, lie immediately takes a cer-

tain amount of responsibility upon himself. hire prevention is equal to fire extinction. Tlie old adage: "Px-e veil l ion is better than cure’ bolds good in connection with fires. Almost ninety per cent, of the fires in New Zealand were due to preventable causes. Why were not greater steps taken to prevent lire’/ It rested with each individual member to do what lie could in this direction. In everyday life we see things which are a danger and it was our duty to draw attention to them. The Board liad done a great deal for tbe brigade and it was now up to tbe brigade to help themselves as much as possible. If a man joins a brigade be should be enthusiastic. It was amazing to note what one brigade, not a hundred miles from Foxton, bad done to help itself. They bad buiiL a billiard room and had done a lot of their own brass turning work. One thing that annoyed the speaker was to heax- people say when be was speaking on lire lighting matters: “Ob, well, it’s your living, it’s your profession.’’ Inspector Hugo said be bad taken up lire work because be was interested in it. He gave up one profession, one that he had reached the top in, and one anyone might well be proud of, to join up as a fireman. On becoming an officer in that brigade he left and went to America where he once again started at the bottom and worked up. If that did not entitle him to a livli-

hood from this profession, what did? (applause). He said that when he came hack again he hoped to see the brigade in possession of all equipment necessary. He urged the brigade to do everything thoroughly.

The Chairman then outlined the history of fire fighting locally and the formation of the Eire Board.

Air Irving proposed the toast of “The Foxton Borough Council. Crs. Bryant and Smith replied. The latter said that he was sorry that the rest of the Councillors were not present but the evening had been arranged at very short notice. He agreed with the chairman that if tlie Council and Board co-operate they would get on all right and was sure the Council would do all it could to help the brigade along.

Air Parker (Levin) proposed the toast of “Fire Boards.” He said it was a privilege to be present at the opening ceremony and considered the Board had provided Foxton with the safety if required. He outlined a tire experience that had befallen him some twenty years ago when on a visit to Foxton. Tic described how he had given a hand to the “bucket brigade” . and related one or two amusing incidents in connection with I lie fire. He commended the Board on the work they had (Tone.

Air Cray thanked the speaker for his remarks and said that (lie Board had had a very stormy time at first, hut after every storm comes the cnlin am! he hoped the Board would benefit by its past experiences. As regards the brigade, be considered it was the makings of a very efficient body of men. He wished the brigade all success and had ideasure in proposing the toast of the “Foxton Fire Brigade.” Superintendent Ah-Derim'd thanked the speaker for his remarks and said that: he hoped they would prove worthy of the praise they had lie.--towed, lie referred to the wrk done by the old brigade and su'd without their efforts they would not lie iii the position they wre to-day (applause). He outlined He handicaps and hardships they bad had to overcome in the past. He hoped Inspector Hugo would not forget to pay them visits and give them “lickings."

.Mr M. E. IVrreaii said tiial he could boas! tlml lie had suffered (he greatest losses by fire in Foxton. TTo bad his home and four business premises burnt down within twelve months. Tie, speaking as an old brig-adesman, was pleased to see the brigade* laid a home of its own at last. They had previously met at bis residence and they bad been a happy family. They had to llmnk the members of (be Board for establishing such a line station for the brigade. The ratepayers and citizens recognised the good work done by the Board. Tie felt deeply pleased with the progress the brigade

itiid liinde. Mr Cray called for three cheers for Mr Perreau and tin* old brigade which were heartily responded to. The toast “Architect and Contractor'' was then proposed by Mr Smith. Tic congratulated Mr West on his work and supervision and the contractor on the expeditious manner in which the building bad been completed. Mr T». G. West said that he had to apologise for Mr Orr (the contractor) who whs unable to be present. He had been instructed to erect tbe building as economically as possible at present with a view to finishing it later. lie gave an interesting outline of the Palniprslon North Brigade in the early days, of which bis fat her had been a prime mover. As a citizen, lie said that lie entirely approved of lire hoards. The toast “Kindred Brigades,” coupled with the names of Messrs McTaggart and Young, wa- proposed by the Superintendent. Mr Cray said that Mr McTaggart was a pioneer brigadesman and a “tower of strength” to the Levin Brigade. Both Mr McTaggart and Mr Young replied. Mr Cray proposed the toast of “Tlie Press'' and Mr Hornblow rcpiied. Mr Cray paid a liiglii tribute to the catering provided by Mrs Walls cud the decoration of the room. Tin- singing of “Alibi Kang Sync” brought a close to a very successful fund ion.