FOXTON FIRE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3574, 11 December 1926, Page 3

FOXTON FIRE BOARD.

Quarterly meeting. the quarterly meeting of the Foxton Fire Board was held in the secretary’s office last evening. In the absence of the Chairman (Mr F. G. Cray) Mr A. H. Clerke was voted to the chair. Also present were Messrs C. J. Gray, J. K. Homblow, M. E. Perreau, F. Wfoods and the secretary (Mr R. Rangiheuea). Mr Downes, Superintendent, was also in attendance. An apology for absence was received from Mr F. G. Cray. The Chairman introduced Mr C. J. Gray to Board members, Mr Gray having been appointed to the position made vacant by the resigMr A. Filmer, and representing the Norwich Union Insurance Co.

Business of a routine nature was dealt with, after which the SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT was read and adopted as follows: “During the. quarter two calls were attended to. All the gear and equipment is in good' order and the fire engine has been re-varnished. The brigade is now up to its full strength and the members are very enthusiastic with their work. The new r uniforms are to hand and are much appreciated. The fire station is in good order, but I would suggest that the doors and window frames should be given a coat of paint to ensure preservation.

The congratulations of the Board were extended to Superintendent Downes and the Brigade in connection with the excellent save they made in the outbreak of fire at Mr J. Wyeth’s residence.

The matter of providing three trays to accommodate hose on the fire engine was left in the hands of the Superintendent, the cost not to exceed 30/-. It was decided that the lire station he cleaned out once a month and the matter of painting was left in the hands of the local committee with power to act. The exchange'of seasonal greetings between members and the chairman brought the meeting to a close, the secretary being instructed to convey Christmas greetings to Mr F. G. Gray on behalf of "the Board.

THE SOCIAL EV7NING. . la the evening the Board entertained the members of the Brigade to a social evening in Grady’s rooms. Among those present at the gathering wei'e Crs. Thompson and McMurray and the Town Clerk (Mr W. Trueman); Messrs .J. Iv. Hornblow, M. E. Perreau and F. Wjoods (Fire Board), Mr R. Rangiheuea (secretary) ; Messrs Jno. Ross, C. Pearson, and R. Hornblow (Fire Police) and Mr W. E. Barber (Chairman, Manawatu County Council). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Barr, Bauckham, Potts, J. Newton and C. Rand (Fire Police).

In opening proceedings, Mr J. K. Homblow apologised for tlie absence of the Wellington members, who were unable to be present owing to having to attend a meeting in Levin that evening. He was particularly sorry that Mr Cray was not present as he had taken such a keen interest in the social welfare of the Brigade and it had been his suggestion that the social evening be held. Mr Cray had always held the idea that the Board should meet the Brigade on a social footing as the Brigadesmen gave their services voluntarily and were paid no retaining fee. Mr Homblow pointed out the great saving to the Board and ratepayers of the borough that this meant. If a retaining fee of even £lO per man had to be paid it would mean a charge of at least £l7O against the people of Foxton. The members of the local brigade were to be congratulated on the fine spirit they showed in offering their services in the safeguarding of life and property gratuitously. They had made some splendid saves in the past and had, consequently, saved the insurance companies, who, it must be remembered, contributed half the cost of the Fire Board, and had saved the town an expense also. Mr Hornblow referred to the formation of a local fire police corps, at the suggestion of Inspector Hugo and the appointment of Mr F. Woods as Captain. Fire police, ho said, were the intermediaries at a lire between the firemen.and doctor, and took charge of all salvaged goods and attended to first aid work. In conclusion Mr Homblow welcomed to the social gathering Mr W. E. Barber, Chairman of the Manawatu County Council and expressed the hope that now the head of that body resided'in Foxton that in the near future the headquarters of the Manawatu County Council would he here also.

Mr M. E. Perre.au was voted to the chair and the first toast of the evening.was that of “The King.” Civ Thompson, on behalf of the Council, congratulated the Brigade on its excellent work in the past and hoped they would be as successful in the future. The Council was only too willing to co-operate with them on any matter. Mi- F. Woods (Captain Fire Police) briefly outlined the' object of the corps. Their main work was the protection of life and property. He also referred to the life of a fireman, whose task, he said, was no light one. Mr W. Trueman, in proposing the toast of the “Superintendent .and Firemen” referred to the excellent work done by the brigade at the Town Hall fire. The performance on that occasion had completely changed his opinion of fire -and he was out to assist them in any way possible. His one object in joining the Fire Police had been to

try, if possible, to assist the brigade. Such a fipc body of volunteers needed every possible encouragement The toast of “The Fire Board” was placed in the hands of Superintendent Downes, and was coupled with “the Borough Council.” Mr Downes sincerely thanked the Boat'd and Council, on behalf of the Brigade for their assistance in the past and said his men.were keenly inte--ested in their work and appreciated the Board’s interest in them.

Mr W. E. Barber proposed the toast of the “Fire Police” and referred to the early days in Wellington, the formation of fire police in that city and the excellent work done by them. Ho wished the local eorp every success. Mr C. A. Pearson replied a’nd gave an outline of the many hardships encountered by the firemen, to say nothing of the laughs and jeers that had been hurled at the early members when the chemical engine was the only means of fire prevention locally.

During the evening three-year service certificates were presented to Superintendent Downes, Foreman F. Lockwood, Secretary A. Walls, and Firemen R. Parker and J. Kelly.

The spread provided by Mr Grady was very favourably commented upon by those present and reflected great credit upon the caterers.