FIRE BRIGADES' COMPETITIONS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 559, 20 August 1920, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADES' COMPETITIONS

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS.

The presentation of medals won by the fire brigades taking part in the competitions at the Franklin Winter Show took place on Tuesday at ft function (reported elsewhere) held in the Premier Hall, The presenting of the medals was entrusted to Mr. Jas. Roulston, chairman of the Franklin Winter Show Committee, who eulogised the fine work of the brigades and the unselfish spirit animating them to compete. Interesting remarks were made by a number of brigadesmen. Foreman E. Gilbert, of Onehunga Fire Brigade, impressed upon the gathering the value of a fire brigade. The hardships the game were firemen's contributions towards citizenship. He appealed for support to the Pukekohe brigade. He believed the volunteer system was the better, and demonstration were greatly educative. He was pleased to see that Pukekohe brigade held the "two-men coupling," against Onehunga, despife the fact that he and his brother had won such events all over New Zealand, The two Pukekohe men who won this were equal to anything in New Zealand. Thousands of firemen had taken up arms for our Empire. In regard to behaviour, he had seen at conferences 600 men present, and not one had misbehaved. On one occasion certain men had misconducted themselves, and were given 24 hours to resign and hand in their uniforms.

Mr. Osborne (Onehunga), treasurer of the New Zealand United Fire Brigades' Association, and also of the Auckland Association, said that for ten years the boards had been fighting insurance companies, who did not support fire brigades. However, after eight days' fighting at a conference in Wellington, they had agreed to contribute £IOOO a year, and the Government had granted £ISOO. Hitherto a levy of £2 had to be made on each member when a conference took place, and now these expenses would be paid from the abovementioned funds, and railway and steamer fares were provided free. The companies also decided to determine the premiums according to the plant available and the status of the brigade. This policy had resulted in some big towns getting a shock and some small ones with efficient brigades had gained considerably. He believed voluntary brigades were .more efficient than fire boards. With a fire board two men would have to be kept permanently at tha fire station to put out fires that never occurred, and the ratepayers had to pay for these extravagances. The following are the results on which the medals were awarded: — One man event.—Fireman Gilbert (Onehunga No. 1), 465, 1; Captain NL Brown (Pukekohe) 525., 2.

Two-men Coupling.—Captain Brown and Secretary Kollinson (Pukekohe No. 2) 41 2-ss, 1; Foreman Gilbert and Fireman Gilbert (Onehunga No. l>i 43 2-ss, 2. This was a very popular win as far as the various brigades are concerned. The Gilbert Bros' combination had never had their colours lowered for many years, and were looked upon as almost invincible for the two-men coupling championship. The Pukekohe team thus holds the honour of being the first to defeat the combination, and whenever these teams meet again the contest should be exceptionally interesting. It

speaks volumes for the efficiency of the local brigade to defeat such noteworthy opponents, whose performances are known throughout the fire brigades of the Dominion. Thiee-men Even.— Onehunga No. 1., Capti.in Hill, Foreman Gilbert and Fireman Gilbert, 33 2-ss, 1; Onehunga No. 2, 34 2-ss, 2.