FOXTON FIRE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3899, 26 January 1929, Page 3

FOXTON FIRE BOARD.

QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Fox ton Fire Board was held in the secretary’s office on Thursday evening, presided over by Mr. A. 11. Clerke. Also present were: Messrs F. G. Cray, J. K. Hornblow, M. E. Perreau, E. Parkin and the secretary (Mr R. Rangiheuea). Superintendent A. W. 0. Stevenson Was also: in' attendance. ' CORRESPONDENCE, was read and dealt with as follows : From Mr. W. E. Woodham donating half a cord of wood for use at the fire station. —Decided to 1 forward Mr. (Woodham a letter of thanks. The secretary reported having disposed of 500 feet of second-hand hose to the B'orough Council at 3d per foot. Accounts amounting to £133 15s 7d were passed for payment. The election of the following new members to the Brigade was approved of: — W. J. 11. Broad, €. J. Anderson, H. G. Potts and E. J. Robinson. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. The Superintendent (Mr. A. Stevenson) reported as follows: — “I have to thank the Board for the consideration extended to the Brigade at all times during my term of .office. The current quarter registers another milestone in the progress of fire-fighting in this district and I am happy to state that with the exception of one minor grass fire there has not been any serious call for registration.

“The present .strength of the Brigade including all ranks is sixteen and I of bringing same up to its full strength during the current week. “The station, engine and equipment are in good order. “Mattel’s requiring attention are as follows: —I leather belt for siren, 1 siren for engine, 1 cold chisel, 1 hamjrner, 1 shifting spanner, 1 electric: hand lamp, 3 dress uniforms, 2 respirators (15/- each). “In conclusion I ibeg to respectfully remind you that the Brigade is sending 5 men to Hokitika to participate in the U.F.B.A. Demonstration and 'Conference. The Brigade is working ,very strenuously to raise sufficient funds -for the men’s requirements but so far our work has not met with much suqcess. “In view of the importance of both the Demonstration and the Conference to all brigades we entertain the hope that you will see your way to liberally assist the team and delegate in the matter of financing the project.” It was decided on the motion of Mi*. F. G. Cray to grant £25 to the Brigade towards the demonstration expenses. The matter of procuring the necessary tools was left in the hands of the local members. The report was adopted. Mr. F. G. Cray (chairman) tendered his resignation from the Board otwing to heaith reasons. Mr. J. K, Hornblow expressed the Board’s regret at having to accept the resignation. Mi*. Cray and himself were the two oldest members on the Board and he had never met a man more keenly enthusiastic and thorough in public affairs as Mr. Cray was. In losing his services the Borough arid Board were sustaining a great loss. His conciliatory spirit had, on many occasions, kept the Board together. The Board had received kudos for the able manner ip which it administered its affairs but this was solely due to the splendid way in which the chairman had 'handled the affairs of the Board. Mr. M. E. Perreau endorsed Mr. Homblo'w’s remarks and on his motion it was decided to place on record the Board’s appreciation of Mr. Cray’s services.

Mr. Cray expressed his appreciation of his colleagues services during the period lie had been chairman of the Board. He eulogised the work of the secretary and said he had come across ia more efficient iFire Board, secretary |than Mr. Roore. He hoped to be restored to health and to be again associated with them all at some future date. He thanked members for their kindly remarks and good wishes and wished the borough and Board every success for the future. At the conclusion of business the Brigade took the opportunity of bidding farewell to Mr. Cray at a social evening, held in Walls’ rooms. Mi-. A. H. (Clerke occupied the chair and explained that the object of the evening was to do honour to their retiring chairman. The speaker referred to his three years’ association with Mr. Cray on the Otaki, Levin and Foxton Fire Boards, and regretted Mr. Cray’s retirement from Fire Board work as lie had proved himself a capable and most useful chairman. He then called on the Superintendent to make a presentation to Mi’. Gray. Superintendent A. Stevenson, in asking Mr. Cray to accept a travelling rug from members of the brigade said that Mr. Cray had rendered the brigade great assistance during his term on the Fire Board, and had taken particular interest in the social welfare of the brigade. He had not left one thing undone and the brigade appreciated to the full his kindly and considerate attention. He had much pleasure in asking Mr. Cray to accept the gift as a small token of the esteem in which he -was held by members of the brigade.

Deputy 'Superintendent H. Reid endorsed the Superintendent’s remarks and said that in losing Mr. I Gray' the brigade was losing 'a good Iriend, He ha.d always been very

approachable and had made it his business to find out exactly bow things Were in the brigade, inviting (criticism and ever ready to discuss matters pertaining to the welfare of the men and brigade as a whole. He had given particular attention to the social side of the brigade and this was a point of vital importance as catering socially for the men helped to keep up efficiency and efficiency was the keynote of brigade work. He very much regretted Mr. Cray’s retirement but wished him health and happiness for the future.

Mr. J. K. Hornblow then presented Mr. Cray with a handsome goldmounted fountain pen from his colleagues on the Board and in doing so said Mr. Cray’s retirement from the Board would be keenly felt. Mr. Cray together with the speaker, had been associated with life board since its inception, being the only original members left, and during the initial stages of the Board’s existence, Ml’. Gray had been particularly helpful and of great assistance in administering the Board. Mr. Cray had not only served Foxton, but Otaki, Levin and Wellington, and many other parts of the Dominion ;as well. His interest in Fire Boards and fire-fight-ing was of far greater benefit to the community as a whole than to himself. In serving the public he had done so at great personal sacrifice and he hoped that after his health recruiting holiday he would come back rejuvenated. Mr. Cray was a man of vision, was not niggardly and quick to realise the great and good work brigadesmen were doing throughout the country. He did not fail to recognise t'ho great sacrifices these men were making in the service of the community and had realised that it was the duty of the controlling bodies to look to the social side of these men’s lives. He had been a great battler for the local brigade and they had to thank him for their up-to-date station, social hall, billiard table, etc. With regard to the Board, in Mr. Cray they always had a friend at court and he hoped that when Mr. Cray returned from his holiday renewed in health they would still have services in Wellington. The Board desired hint to accept the present as a mark of appreciation of the good work he had done since the inauguration of the Foxton Fire Board.

The Mayor (Mr. M. E. Perreau) endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks and said the efficiency of the Foxton brigade was: in a large measure due to the work and experience of Mr. Cray. Foxton possessed a first-class brigade with a first class superintendent (applause). He was sure the citizens of Foxton were deeply indebted to Mr. Cray for his assistance in Fire Board matters. Mr. A. H. Clerk e (Wellington) also expressed his regret at the loss the Board was sustaining by the departure of Mr. Cray. Mr. Cray had made a close study of fire brigades and boards, and his knowledge was invaluable. The toast of Mr. Cray was then drunk with musical honours.

Mr. Cray, in rising to reply, was greeted with a round of applause. He said he was tremendously flattered by the remarks that had been passed about him. He had never realised that his little efforts had been appreciated to isuch an extent. His association with the Board and brigade had given him a great deal of pleasure and his only regret was that he had not been able to get into closer touch with the men. If his assistance Was wanted at any time he was only too willing to give it. He had that day, owing to health reasons, ■ been compelled to retire from the Otaki, Levin and Foxton Boards, but he was not severing his connections with the Wellington Board, and any information he could gather in the capacity as member of that board which would be useful to the local board he would be only too .pleased to pass on and to assist them in any way. The interests o£ the members of the Foxton Board and, brigade would ever be paramount with him. He regretted his retirement from the Board as he had made friends amongst his colleagues and brigadesmen, friendships he Would -not care to sever. However if his health was better within two years, he would.again seek election on the Foxton Fire Board (applause). Mr. Cray again thanked the board and brigade for their gifts and good wishes and said he .would not bid them farewell but “au revoir.”

During the evening opportunity was taken to present Secretary A. Walls with his five years’ servico medal and Deputy H. Reid and Senior Foreman MJcArtney with their three year certificates. Mr. J. V K. Hornblow made the presentation to Secretary Walls and referred to the capable and efficient manner in which he had carried out his duties over a long period. The efficiency of any institution greatly depended upon its secretary and the brigade was particularly fortunate in having the services of Secretary Walls. Mr. F. C. Cray presented the certificates and referred to the sacrifices firemen were . called on to make. He congratulated the recipients on their long period of service which entitled them to the gratitude of the people of Foxton and to all the honour which beeamjjr such a position. 'The certificates were entrusted into the care of Mr. Perreau to be framed.

Secretary A. Walls was also called upon by Mr. A. H. Clerke to accept a set of brushes and a shaving outfit as a token of the appreciation of his work from the Brigade. Secretary Walls thanked mem-

hers for their presentation and said anything he had done for the brigade had been done willingly. He also voiced his regret at the departure from the Board of Mr. Cray and [wished him a return of health at an early date. Mr. Cray proposed the toast of “The Fire Police,” eoqpled with the name of Mr. W. Trueman. Mi'. E. Parkin) called upon Mr. Trueman, to accept a handsome, engraved cigarette case from the brigade as a mark of appreciation of his services as auditor. Mr. Trueman said his services in the capacity of auditor to the brigade had been very light and done with no thought of remuneration. He referred in humorous strain to his connection with the Fire Police. He oongratulatecl the Board and Brigade on the harmonious manner in which they had worked together which tendered for efficiency. Mr. Trueman briefly referred to the financial side of affairs and the difficulties entailed in conserving funds which was met by any local body. In conclusion lie thanked the brigade for their gift which he would treasure but which he (considered was quite unmerited. Other toasts honoured during the evening were as follows: — “The Foxton Volunteer Fire Brigade,” proposed by Mr. F. C. Cray and responded to by the Superintendent and Deputy. “The Board,” proposed by Fireman Desjardincs, responded to by Messrs A. 11. Clerke, J. K. Hornblow and M. E. Perreau. “The Hostess,” proposed by Mr. Cray and responded to by Mrs. Walls. The evening concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”