OPENING SHANNON FIRE BRIGADE STATION.

Shannon News, 2 October 1928, Page 3

OPENING SHANNON FIRE BRIGADE STATION.

When the Shannon Fire Brigade was formed twelve months ago, it was apparent to all that a station would be lequired to house tho reel. This being so, the first move was made a few months ago, on the completion of the dam at Mangahao, when the Brigade took' advantage of the opportunity to purchase a quantity of timber from there, which was- being offered at a reasonable price. Permission was then obtained from the Borough Council to erect a suitable building in Plimmcr Terrace, a plan was got out for a building to meet their requirements and by voluntary labour, the Brigade now have a building suitable for housing the reel, and plant, which .also includes a. room 13 x A 0 An which they can hold meetings, etc. The building, though small, will fill all requirements for some time and it must have been verv gratifying to the Brigade last evening to see their effort had been successfully accomplished, and tho building now ready for use. In the unavoidable absence of tlw Mayor (Mr E. Butt) and the Deputy Mavor (Cr. W. H. Gunning), the acting" deputy Mayor (Cr. T. C. Thwaites) performed the opening ceremony. In doing.'so he expressed regret having to 'do it under the circumstances, owing to the illness of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. But apart from this feeling .of regret it gave him very great pleasure. He said that when those present had viewed what those willing hands had done, he felt sure they would all agree they had done well. It was an example which all citizens may follow. The work had been done by voluateer labour, although he would only individualise in one instance, by referring to the part Supt. Currau had taken in its erection. Right from the start when lie got the idea to build, he had been the one strong man behind the movement. Continuing, he said, the Brigade since its inception (had answered twelve calls, but unfortunately the reticulation in the outskirts of the Borough was not such as to give the Brigade a chance. They haA'e done real.good work ar.d it would be hard to estimate in £ s. d. what they have saved,-but they had certainly warranted their existence. He then declared the station open. In conclusion lie stated that Mr Cuiran had been reelected Superintendent and he hoped that his nexi twelve months, in office would be a pleasant one. : Supt. Curran in returning thanks tj the Acting Deputy Mayor (Cr. T. C. Thwaites) and' those assembled, said that.:;though ,tb%. .building* was not a large one it would meet the Brigade'* requirements. He said that apart from assistanceVendered by members of the Brigade a special word of praise was due to Mr E, J. S. -Spencer for drawing up the plans and directing the erection 'of the building; also to Mr "Jimmy" Douglas (who .unfortunately was in. hospital-and hot able to hi present).. He said -that' although he was 75 vears of age; he Jiiad worked daylight'till dark on the job, and was deserving of great credit for what he had .done/ Thanks were also due to Messrs Laurvig, Christopherson and Baker-for-donations and material. Speaking of tile Brigadesmeiv he said they had all'done well. Tn y tlie past they had to drag the reel to a fire, which was rather tiring, but this had now been got over by Mr Alf. Thomson towing it behind his Ford; truck. Referring to outbreaks of fire outside the water area in the borough; he said the Council had in vjew. a'*;sfehcme for extending the mains, which if carried out, would enable the brigade to cope with all fires. The. sister brigades at Wellington, Palmerston North and Levin had assisted thent and that evening the'-Levin Brigade had kindly given them half a dozen working uniforms. He hoped that by their next birthday they would all be able to attend their annual ball in new uniforms. In conclusion he appealed to citizens for donations of chairs, etc.. for furnishing their meeting room. A social and dance followed in the Druids' Hall (which had been kindly given free of charge by Mr A. E. Hyde). There was an attendance of nearly three hundred people, among those prasent being representatives from the Palmerston North, Levin, Foxton and Otaki Fire Brigades. The hall had been prettily decorated with ferns and evergreens around the walls, with coloured 'streaimers draped from the ceiling, a huge paper bell being suspended in the centre, while at the end of the Room the letters S.V.F.B. worked in red caught the eye. The decorations were carried out by the younger members of the Brigade, who are to be complimented on the fine display' they made. The duties of M.C. were in the capable hands of Mr J. T. Bovis, and with the musical fare supplied by Mr S. Parsons, of Levin, it is safe to say everyone had an enjoyable time. The supper.arrangements were in charge of the ladies who did all possible to see that those present were well catered for. Dancing was continued until 1 a.m when one of the most successful functions yet held in Shannon was brought to a close.