FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 March 1918, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION.

ON EASTER MONDAY

The United Districts Fire Brigades’ Demonstration commenced on the Recreation Ground at 1 o’clock this afternoon, and it will be continued on Easter Monday, commencing at halfpast nine in the morning. Taihape is fortunate in having been selected for Wiis great demonstration, for of

all the public institutionsTh this country there are none more worthy of support than the that is

ready at every minute of day and night to risk their lives to save their town from loss by fire. There are some

forty teams competing one against the other, so that utmost efficiency may be assured, and so that any progress made by a brigade in one locality may be demonstrated and imparted to all others. Members of fire brigades devote a a lot of time to fighting fires and in learning to fight fires, not for their

own personal benefit, but for the benefit of the whole community in which they live; for the saving of life and property, not of their own, but that belonging to their fellows. They keep down insurance rates and confer many other blessings which the general public is mpt to miss noting. A really interesting display of the firemen’s art is being given to-day, but the great day for the people ,the great show demonstration will take place on Monday. Complete arrngements have been made for entertaining a very large public gathering. The Taihape Brass Band will be in attendance, and the Women’s Working Club are making ample provision for refreshing the

inner man. The contests are certain to be interesting, as winning teams amongst the visitors. It is hoped that business people will give this great demonstration the patronage it deserves from them, also that the general householder will not

be unmindful of the men who do so

much to give them security from fire | while they sleep. The fire brigade is \ an institution that costs the public

little for the security it gives from fire, because the members of brigades are so public spirited in many cases as to ask for nothing more than an efficient equipment of fire-fighting apparatus. There is no body of who merit public support and interest more than various bodies of firefighters and it is hoped that Taihape businessmen will not fail to accord the men now competing on the lW creation Ground their due. Among the Judges and Examiners arc two Fire Superintends the writer knew as members of a very competent fire brigade as mere lads, over twenty years ago. These men have given the best part of their lives to the protection of their town from fire, and no doubt there arc many such amongst the large number of firemen from various other districts, who 'are now competing in Taihape.. The public can onl y give the fireman his due by realising and keeping in mind the fact that it takes years to give him that efficiency that enables him to successfully fight fires on their behalf. It is hoped that all Taihape people will make the Recreation Ground their rendezous on Easter Monday,