VOLUNTEER FIREMEN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3899, 26 January 1929, Page 2

VOLUNTEER FIREMEN.

A WELL DESERVED EULOGY,

(Speaking on the sacrifices made by firemen, at a social function held by the local Five Brigade on Thursday evening, Mr. F. C. Cray, who for many years past has been chairman of the Foxton Fire .Board, said he had every sympathy with firemen. They gave their services to the eonim unity at the risk of life and limb and no greater sacrifice could be made by anyone. He had “been through the mill” and knew what they had to put up with. He had been born in Ballarat, Australia, and he did not think lie missed a ifire as a ;boy. In later life he had managed an insurance company there for 29 years. lie loved fire- 6 ■ fighting and had written hundreds of articles on it. He had also been a fireman himself and was a member of the North Valley Fire Brigade, at Dunedin,.in the days of o the old hand pump and Vhen they had to chop tanks open to ensure a supply of water. The work of the firemen deserved greater recognition than it got. With regard to the local brigade, the Board had been compelled to conserve its expenditure but nevertheless that body recognised the .good work the brigade was doing. He urged them to go on and stick together. They had one of the best superintendent’s in New Zealand. He knew his job and knew how to fight for his men. His first consideration was for the benefit of the brigade. “You get nothing,” said Mr. Cray, “we get nothing as a board. You give your services voluntarily and I trust that volunteer spirit will never die.”