FEW FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1922, Page 4

FEW FIRES.

NEW PLYMOUTH BRIGADE. A SPLENDID RECORD. SUPERINTENDENT’S TRIBUTE. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Fire Brigade was held last night, the superintendent (Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer) presiding. Reference to the affairs of the brigade was made by Mr. Bellringer in the course of a brief address. He first mentioned that under their system of working his annual report was presented to the Fire Board. The superintendent said he was more than pleased with the affairs of the brigade during the last twelve months. He thought they could well claim that in efficiency they were in a better position than they had been for many years; numerically they were stronger than in the preceding twelve months, and as for the plant he was quite certain it was well abreast of the requirements of New Plymouth. He attributed this to the fact that they were worlyng under the Fire Board. Members no doubt knew’ that in earner years the brigade had a hard struggle to exist financially, but now their plant was assured. They read with interest comments made in regard to the efficiency of brigades in other towns when they were getting appliances which the New Plymouth brigade had had for years. 'This spoke well for the management of the brigade and for the interest taken by the men who formed the brigade.

EXPANSION OF THE TOWN.

Their responsibilities, however, did not decrease. As the years went by New Plymouth was becoming more thickly populated, with a consequent extension of the area over which the brigade had control. They had been well prepared for all emergencies which had arisen, and he had no serious misgivings as to how the brigade would operate should their services be required in the future. A feature was that the fire loss in New Plymouth was practically nil. They had not had many fires, and the outbreaks they had been called on to attend had been speedily handled, with resultant saving to the insurance companies and the owners concerned. No outbreak hail got beyond a few pounds damage. It was a pleasure to him to be associated with the brigaxle and to enjoy the splendid feeling which permeated the personnel. He thought it could be said that they had not had a discordant note in the brigade for years. He felt very happy in being attached to the brigade and to notice the esprit de corps which was shown among the men. They jealously guarded all applications for membership. Mr. Bellringer expressed his appreciation to the officers and men of the brigade for the unremitting attention to their duties which they had displayed. They read sometimes of firemen at play, but he had yet to learn tfliat ' firemen had much play. The men who went in for competitions had to work hard, and he thought they had to look for more interest in this in the future, though there, was nothing to complain of in this direction in the past. To the men resident on the station, he would like to say that on them devolved very important duties, but they had never been found wanting. They were a happy family, and men whom he was proud to have on the station. He hoped that the same good feeling would continue to exist for many years to come. He was certain that the, brigade was held in high esteem by the Fire Board, who were only too willing to assist in every possible manner. Whilst keeping an eye on due economy, he believed that there was no stinting on the part of the board in anything which the brigade needed. Mr. Bellringer concluded by again expressing his thanks to the firemen for their support during the year. The balance-sheet, which showed a credit of £75 19s Id, was adopted without discussion. Receipts during the year were £lB6 3s lid, and the payments were £146 14s.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Superintendent, Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer; deputy superintendent, Mr. A. Boon; central foreman, Fireman H. Ford; foreman of ladder company, Fireman J. Clarke; eecretary, Fireman Ford; treasurer, Superintendent Bellringer; firemen’s representatives on executive, H. Inch and A. Courtney; auditors, Custodian Doughty and Fireman W. Way.

In announcing an apology for absence from the president of the Fire .Board (Mr. W. C. Weston). Mr. Bellringer stated that Mr. Weston had offered to donate prizes for a billiard tournament to be conducted during th,e winter months.

The secretary was voted the usual honorarium of £5 5« in recognition of his services during the year. On the motion of the superintendent, the brigade placed on record their appreciation of the great assistance received from Mrs. Doughty (wife of the custodian) during the past year. A vote of thanks was also accorded to the Press.

The attendance record for the year showed there were 37 calls and meetings, and two members gained the possible, namely, Foreman J. Clark and Fireman A. Goodwin. The next on the list were Superintendent Bellringer, Custodian Doughty and Fireman C. Allen with 36 each. Four members had a record of 35 attendances. At the close of the business members adjourned to the Workers’ Hall, where a social evening was held, cards, vocal items and dancing helping to pass a very pleasant time. The euchre tournament resulted as follows: —Ladies: First prize, Mrs. A. Haskell (10 games); booby prize. Miss Roper. Men: First prize, Mr. Beckett (I'2 games); booby prize, Fireman Frost (Waitara). Music for the dance was played by Mrs. George’s orchestra, and a large number indulged in this pastime.