METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22985, 14 September 1936, Page 2

METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADE

TWO OFFICERS HONOURED FAREWELL TO BOARD CHAIRMAN RETIRING SUPERINTENDENT ENTERTAINED Members of the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board, the brigades of the city and surrounding districts, representatives of the civic authorities of the city and outlying boroughs and of various local bodies met at the Central Fire Station on Saturday evening for the purpose of bidding farewell to the chairman of the Dunedin Board (Mr S. B. Macdonald). who is about to leave for Auckland, and the retiring superintendent (Mr J. J. Salmon). Mr J. L. Salmond occupied the chair, THE GUESTS HONOURED “ This is my final duty as chairman of the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board,” said Mr S. B. Macdonald, proposing the toast of “Our Guest Supei’intendent J. J. Salmon.” Mr Salmon, he said, had been a fire fighter since his youth. He had joined the Dunedin Volunteer Fire Brigade 54 years ago, and prior to that he had been associated in a junior capacity with another brigade. Mr Salmon was now going to his well-earned retirement, and he would take with him every good wish not only of those who had been associated with him in his work, but of the whole community. On behalf of the board. Mr Macdonald, asked Mr Salmon to accept a substantial cheque. Mr Salmon replied and congratulated Mr R. H. Price and Mr W. R. Morrison on being appointed superintendent and deupty superintendent respectively. Both had already given long and faithful service, and would carry on the work of the brigade efficiently and well. He wished to pay a tribute to Mr Macdonald, who had ever been ready to give his help to the officers and men of the brigade. The same applied to the other chairmen of the board during the speaker’s time. He returned thanks for the gift which had been made to him and concluded by giving an assurance of his continued interest in the Dunedin Fire Brigade. Mr J, L. Salmond proposed the toast of “Our Guest, Mr S. B. Macdonald.” He was sure, he said, he was expressing the feelings not only of the board, but of all present, when he said that it was with extreme regret they were losing Mr Macdonald. It took many years to make a good fireman, and similarly it took many years to make a good board member. Mr Macdonald had been ,a member of the Oamaru, Port Chalmers, Dunedin, and Mosgiel fire boards, and his experience had been of extreme value. His knowledge and experience would now be given to Auckland. On behalf of the board, he presented Mr Macdonald with an office chair. Mr Macdonald, in reply, said he had been a member of the Fire Board for seven years, and he was proud to say that Dunedin was the second board in New Zealand to become a Metropolitan Board. The members believed that to give service to the community they had to have the necesary authority and finance to do it, and the change to the new system was the means adopted to that end. There were 700 local bodies in New Zealand, he said, with over 7000 legislators, and he believed this Government or a Government of the future would have to deal with this. The Fire Board had done its part in this respect and would continue to do so. Speaking of the brigade, Mr Macdonald said the appointment of a new superintendent and deputy had been made after careful consideration, and he could assure the people of Dunedin that there were no better firemen in New Zealand than Superintendent Price and Deputy Superintendent Morrison. The rank and file of the brigade were all fire-fighters from their boots to their helmets. He was leaving Dunedin with extreme regret, and would always treasure the happiest memories of his native city wherever he might live. OTHER TOASTS Mr F. V. Drake proposed the toast of “ The Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board.” Such bodies, he said, were charged with an important duty in the protection of life and property. He paid a tribute to the efficiency of the Dunedin Brigade, and said the community had little idea of the lime and work so cheerfully given by board members. Mr J. Wilson replied, and spoke of the loyal and efficient service which the board had received from its officers, particularly Mr Salmon. He was sure, he said, that in Superintendent Price, the board had a man who would give equal service. Mr Macdonald asked permission to add a toast to the programme, and proposed that of “The Previous Chairman, Mr J. Wilson,” who, he said, had occupied that office for 17 years. Mr Wilson briefly replied. Proposing the toast of “Local Bodies,” Mr W. W. Johnstone xeferred to the close association between such bodies and the fire boards. He spoke of the part played by city and borough councils in providing supplies of water and the proposals for improving the present supply in Dunedin. The Mayor of Dunedin (the Rev. E. T. Cox), in reply, referred to the excellent records of service of Mr Salmon and Mr Macdonald, and assured his hearers that, sooner than most of them expected, Dunedin would have a better water supply and better distribution. The Mayor of Green Island (Mr T. M’Ahan) and the Mayor of Mosgiel (Mr A. F. Quelch) also replied. Mr W. M. Briton, secretary of the Underwriters’ Association, proposed the toast of “Parliament,” and paid a tribute to those who gave their time and energy in the service of their country and its government. Mr M. Silverstone replied, and spoke of the huge task which the present Government had set itself and the manner in which it was being carried out. Dr D. G. M’Millan (member for Dunedin West) was present during the latter part of the evening, and in a brief speech he congratulated Mr Macdonald on his promotion and Mr Salmon on his excellent record of service. FIREMEN’S EXAMINATION During the evening opportunity was taken to present Firemen T. R. Turner and L. R. Osmond certificates won in the examinations held by the Institute of Fire Engineers of Great Britain. Mr Macdonald, who handed over the certificates to the successful firemen, congratulated them on their excellent work, and explained for the benefit of those present that Firemen Turner and Osmond had studied in their spare time and had sat the examination at their own expense. This, he said, was an indication of the type of men who formed the brigade. THE PERFORMERS Messrs S. Angell (songs), C. C. Scott songs), and W. Le Gal (violin solos) provided musical items, with which the toast list was interspersed. Mr C. Parnell was the accompanist. At the conclusion. Mr W. A. Scott proposed the toast of “ The Performers.”