FIRE CONTROL

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 325, 5 January 1937, Page 4

FIRE CONTROL

STRATFORD BRIGADE REVIEW OF YEAR. High Efficiency Kept Up In Quiet Period. No major fire occurring during tba whole 12 'months, the year 1936 was an exceptionally quiet one for the Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade. As was demonstrated by the prompt and effective control of the fire occurring yesterday, however, the brigade has not on this account allowed its standard of efficiency to decline in any way and more than ever merits the praise give<n by the Mayor, Mr J. W. McMillan, who at a function some months ago said, that so long as the volunteer brigade maintained its present standard the town desired no other form of brigade. Only Six Cails. Actually, only six calls were answered during the year, mostly for > chimneys. . Th? . serious out- / break was that of a wash-house in Aerial Street, which. was an (almost total loss. The fact that the control of this Are was not very effective was not a reflection on the brigade hut on the disposal of fire-plugs in the borough. There was no pliig sufficiently near at hand to enable use to be made of the fire-hose and an ordinary garden hose, a poor specimen of its kind, had to bo employed. An event which will mark a chapter in the history of the brigade was the presentation of 25 year Gold Stars to Superintendent E. Brocklebank and Custodian W. Brocklelbank. This ceremony was carried out at a social function on September 8 at which -representatives from a -num bar of other brigades were present.

Stratford Fortunate. Stratford is fortunate in having men who are willing to put Into firefighting work the enthusiasm and persistent gratuitous effort that is acknowledged by the presentation of one of these stars. Superintendent and Custodian Brocklofoank are ,by no means the only men of this type in the ranks of the Stratford brigade. Th a secretary, Deputy-Superintend-ent P. T. Aiken, for example, ait the annual meeting in May last, was m charge of the minutes for the senrenteeii'th successive time and has again, throughout the year,. carried out the many duties of his position with undiminished energy and capability. New Zealand Competition*. Throughout the year the men have, in competing tor local cups and trophies, been training strenuously for the United Fire Brigades Demonstration. to be held at Nelson, during March. On the form shown during the year it seems probable that the team of four men will be chosen from among Firemen, Ray Watson, W. Davis, J. Davis, R. Boyd, A. Fawcett, W. .Pefligreiw, T. Davis, G. Buckley and D. Butcher. Practically every one of these men is a string contender for a place and whatever team Is chosen there Is little doubt that it will give a very good account of itself. Taranaki Championships. At the Taranaki championships last year a Stratford team comprising Firemen, Ray Wlatson, A. Fawcett, W. Davis, W. Broeklebank, F. Cummins and' J. Davis f were beaten by only two or three points for the Taranaki Sthleld. The Stratford team also won Eltham and Stratford Shield at Vie contest at Eltham early in April atm was third in the Crabtree Shield competition, for firemen of under five years’ service. Equipment Needed. The necessity for a greatly increased' supply of helmets and belts was felt more acutely than ever during the past year and the committee of the brigade is planning with a view of reaching the much deaired goal of having every man properly equipped.