THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 75, 2 August 1913, Page 5

THE FIRE BRIGADE.

[To The Editor Stratford Rost.]

Sir,— Judging by the support ac corded the local Fire Brigade at then social last '1 hursday evening, it seem very evident that our townspeople d< not think the. Brigade’s services an worth recognising. I would remim' them that the Brigade, men are pure ly volunteers who give their services free, and are willing to endanger theii lives a any time they may he caller, upon to do so, yet when they ask the public to assist them by attending a social and so helping the Brigade funds these worthy people, whose property the Brigade men are always willing to protect, are too selfish to even hand over a modest half-crown. Certainly there are a few good business men who always give their annual subscription. On the last Council estimates, the icon; appeared, Fire Brigade £IOB. .Now sir, the Brigade do not handle a penny of this money as some people seem to imagine they do so. This grant is solely for absolutely necessary items required for fire prevention. The only cash the Brigade have received from the Borough Council was paid to them the other evening. It amounted tc 10s per man for hoot money, and some members have served 10 years to receive this amount. This money will probably have to lie paid in by tin members to make up the deficiency over the social on Thursday evening, as at present the funds of the Brigade would not purchase a penny stamp. Unless the Brigade receive better support from the public in the future, there is no option hut to form a Fire Board, and when ratepayer; have another special rate added on to their present little lot, they will perhaps wish they had supported the Volunteer Brigade more generously.— 1 am, ole,,

AX OLD FIREMAN

P.S.—Tlio mimnl cliildmi’s hall tokos placo shortly, ami I trust that tin' townsoi'Oplp wiM turn out and giro tlio tlio support wliif!) thov cortainlv dosorvo.