WAITARA FIRE BRIGADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 306, 22 June 1912, Page 3

WAITARA FIRE BRIGADE.

OFFICIAL, OI'KMNO. On Wednesday night tho official openi ing of the Fire Brigade station was performed, the state of the weather being anything but agreeable, consequently the attendance of councillors was small, wkiM no outside fire brigades were represented. Owing to a previous engagement, his Worship the Mayor was unable to "officially ring the new bell," and in his absence senior Councillor IvJenner did so very lustily, members of the brigade following suit. The bell was heard very distinctly by those living in the direction the wind wafted the sound, but with the high wind blowing those on the east side of the town were unable to hear the ringing. After the bell had been "well and truly rung," and adjournment was made to Mrs. Sutherland's, where dinner had been prepared. After ■doing justice to this a move was made to the brigade station, his Worship the Mayor in the meantime 'having arrived. In a brief address the Mayor referred to the good work done by the brigade at the three fires that, occurred in Waitara. He gave the officers and, men great credit for the high efficiency that they had attained. x\t the beginning they were working under many difficultiei, most of which were now removed. The borough had subsidised them to the extent of £IOO in two years, floral fetes had realised £53, the two annual balls returned, £53, the public had very generously subscribed £lO2 in donations, whilst £l7 had been received from sundry sources, making a total of £362. With the proceeds of the last ball they would be able to pay the balance due on the building, leaving then only the bell to pay for. Some 500 ft of new hose Was required, also some additional couplings, and with these the brigade would be well equipped. He again congratulated them on the success of their efforts and declared the station officially opened. The toast of "The King" was loyally and enthusiastically drunk on the proposal of his Worship. Before proceeding with the next toast Captain Ford, who occupied the chair, read apologies from Captain Griffiths (Fitzroy) and Dr. Ramage, whilst his Worship apologised for the absence of Cr. Birdling. In proposing the toast of "The Mayor and Borough Council," Captain Ford referred to the good feeling that existed between the two bodies. The brigade recognised that the Council had rendered them very material assistance, for which they were grateful, and although all the requests made had not been acceded to, members fully recognised that the authorities had done all they possibly could. He gave his Worship and the Council great credit for their efforts (in giving the town a water supply, and said that it was the most progressive body that had occupied the position. The greatest complaint the brigade had was the non-acknowledgment by insurance companies of the work done by the brigade. Already they had saved the companies about £2OOO and had not been j even thanked for doing so,, much less received any financial acknowledgment. His Worship, in replying, said that the Council and the speaker had done their • best for the brigade, both in their official and private capacities, and he was very pleased at the progress made. Crs. Klenner and Langman also acknowledged the toast in a similar strain. His Worship then proposed "The Waitara Volunteer Fire Brigade," coupled with the name of Captain Ford, and supplemented the remarks made in declaring the station opened. He also presented Lieutenant Bird with his five years' service medal, Firemen McLean and Richards with gold star medals for the two-men event, Captain Ford with a set of carvers for the one-man event, .•and Fireman Richards with a silver match-box as runner-up an connection with previous competitions. \ In replying to the toast, Captain Ford j traced the history of the first efforts to obtain a manual engine some six years ago. Up to the time he saw the water Scheme in sight he had not much hope of forming a brigade, but when his Worship showed the progressive spirit which resulted in the scheme being successfully accomplished, for which,he deserved the highest credit, that difficulty had been" Overcome, and now he could say that the brigade was sufficiently equipped to meet any emergency in the town, with the exception, perhaps, of that portion of the freezing works adjacent to the river. The first fire they were called on to attend their chances of saving the 'building were small, as the fire had a good hold, the building was very old, and the stock most inflammable. The fire which occurred at Mr. Jones' factory he considered the most difficult, and its suppression in so short a time spoke much for the efficiency of the brigade. Foreman Frost proposed "The United Fire Brigades' Association," coupled with the name of Lieutenant Bird, who had been the brigade's delegate. In replying, Lieutenant Bird referred . to the Association as the Parliament of fire brigades. Tihey had done grand \vork in standardising everything, which placed all brigades on an equal footing. At the recent conference in Rotorua it was very pleasing to see the large number wearing service medals up to 15 years, showing that the men stuck to the work. The conferences and demonstrations were very valuable adjuncts to the work of brigades, and he hoped the Waitara men would be represented at the next demonstration at Wanganui. Other toasts honored were "The Visitors," "Ex-firemen," "The Ladies" (special reference being made to the amount of work they had done for the purpose of supplementing the finances), "The Press" and "The Caterer." Between the toasts songs were given by Messrs Tuke, Evans, Heath, Smith and Bird, Mr. Heath also contributing some 'harp solos. Messrs Tuke and 'Heath presided at the piano.