STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

DaILY news agency. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at the office of our local represent! tative, care Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE. ANNUAL MEETING - AND DINNER. Oct. 125. The annual meeting and dinner of the Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the fire station last night, Superintendent T. G. Grubb presiding. An excellent spirit of camaraderie pervaded the function, which was commented upon as an indication that the friction of the past no longer existed. The annual report stated, inter alia: The total receipts for the year ending September 30 amounted to £175 3s, including the credit balance brought forward from last year of £6l 9s Gd. Of this sum the total of £lO2 3s 3d has been expended, leaving a credit balance of £54 19s 9d in the bank. The total musters of the brigade for the year has been 27, made up as follows: Practices 12, meetings 13, calls to fires 2, neither of them being serious. The borough is to be congratulated on the fact that there has been an absence of fires, and that the services pf the brigade have not been required. The total strength of the brigade is 24. Since last annual meeting the following have gained and been granted service honors: W. Brocklebank junr. and W. Grubb, five years’ service medals: Secretary Aitken. G. Brocklebank, and R. Pepperell, three years’ services certificates; A. Gorton (life member); Superintendent Grubb, Firemen W. Brocklebank, J. Croft and J. McDonald, two years’ service bars. The brigade arc thankful to Air. -I. Petrie donating a shield for competition among'the members, and it was decided that a two-man competition be run for this periodically, the first run being won by Foreman King and Fireman Croft. There waa also a twomen “wet competition,” run on March 28. for two gold medals donated by Mrs, Mcßeth. These were won by Secretary Aitken and Fireman Harrison.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. OFFICERS ELECTED. * Superintendent T. G. Grubb was reappointed superintendent for the ensuing year. Deputy-Superintendent W. Rowson withdrew his nomination for the position of deputy, and Foreman G. Pearce was elected in his stead. Fireman J. McDonald was elected second foreman. Other officers elected were: Secretary and treasurer. Fireman P. Aitken; committee, Firemen W. Rowson senr., 'W. ,G. Brocklebank, junr., and J. Crofts; custodian, Fireman E. Brocklebank.

The secretary’s hpnorarium was fixed at 7gns.

Messrs. C. D. Sole and H. Burmester were re-appointed auditors. A five years’ service medal was presented to Fireman Walter Grubb, the superintendent modestly handing over the ceremony of the presentation to his son td ex-Lieutenant C. D. Sole. Fireman J. Crofts was presented with a two years’ service bar to his five years’ service medal, and Fireman R. L. Pepperell received a three years’ service certificate. THE ANNUAL DINNER. At the conclusion of the business of the meeting the brigade supper was served, and a few pleasant hours were spent over a toast list. “The Fire Brigade” was proposed by Mr. R. H. Cameron, who said he was very pleased to see the great improvement in the feeling amongst the brigade during the last year or two. In responding, Superintendent Grubb said the brigade was working harmoniously. During the thirteen years die had been with them they had never been so strong or had worked so harmoniously. Mr. Peter Aitken proposed the toast of “Fallen Soldiers,” which was honored in silence.

* The health of Deputy-Superintendent | W. Rowson was proposed by Mr. C. D. I Sole (an ex-lieutenant of the brigade), I who said that only three of the origi fnal members of the brigade remained ! in Stratford. Ex-Lieittenant Rowson had ■ gained the greatest reward a fireman , could receive—the gold star of twentyI five years’ service. Responding, ex-Lien-tenant Rowsan said he was the only member of the original brigade remaining in the service. He intended, after putting in 29 years in the service of the public, to retire after the coming year. “The Stratford Borough Council” was proposed by Superintendent Grubb. Crs. R. H. Cameron, W, Mclnnes, S. Ward, A. Stewart and Mr. P. Skoglund (town clerk) responding. Other toasts honored were: “Life Members.” proposed by Fireman J. Crofts and responded to by ex-Lieuten-ants C. D. Sole and A. Stewart; “Fireman J. Brandon” (who has been promoted to the position of driver in the New Plymouth brigade): “The Ladies,' proposed by Fireman Daviis, and responded to by Mr. T. Thomson; “The Auditors,” proposed by Mr. P. Aitken, and responded to by Mr. C. D. Sole; “Mr. J. H. Thompson” (the hon. pian- , ist); “The Superintendent,” proposed by i Mr. C. Grant: and “The Press.” I A vote of thanks was accorded Fireman Davis for the refreshment arrange- | ments. i Vocial items were given by Messrs. P. Aitken. J. H. Thompson, S. Ward, P. Skoglund. and K. Rowson. Mr. J. H. I Thompson played the accompaniments. THE MARDT GRAS. I Another change has taken place in the i positions of the carnival queen candi- ■ dates, to-day’s count placing- the order 'as follows: Miss Linda Walsh (A.S.A.) ' 1. Miss Eileen Kelly (B.B.) 2. Miiss Lulu • Nash (Sports) 3, Miss Loi Kivell (Coun- | try) 4. I This week’s Mardi Gras attraction i will be the competition night at the : Town Hall to-morrow (Thursday) i night. Some of the best talent in Tara- . naki will be heard in vocal, elocutionary j and other items.

GENERAL ITEMS.

Replying to the toast of “The Borough Council” aff last night’s meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, Cr. S. Ward paid a. striking tribute to the effioiency of the brigade, apd mentioned

incidentally that thia efficiency was responsible for a considerable reduction in fire, insurance rates in the town. He thought the value of the brigade was not as fully recognised as it should be. This statement was confirmed by Mr. J. H. Thompson and Mr. P. Skoglund, the latter suggesting that the public might still pay the same amount of insurance, but that the amount of reduction should go to the brigade. The Stratford Technical School cadets obtained very creditable results in their initial sliboting competition at the Hawera area meeting on Monday. In the competition for cadets over 17 lan McMillan gained three firsts and two seconds. and Hill one third. In the open territorial compet.it ; on A. Lawn secured a first, second and third, and in the cadet competition (under 17) F. Ching and E. Jackson each gained a second. A motor eollifiion. with no very serious results, occurred in Broadway North this afternoon between cars driven by Messrs. J. Davis and J. McCluggage. Davis’ oar was proceeding out of a garage when the collision with McCluggage’s car occiirred. The forepart of each car was buckled by the impact. Arrangements had been made for Dr. Elizabeth Gunn to visit the Stratford school to-morrow (Thursday) to medically inspect the pupils, but owing to a change in her itinerary the doctor has notified the headmaster that she cannot now be present to-morrow, but will attend on a date to be arranged next month. The headmaster asks that information asked for on the cards distributed to parents be supplied in anticipation of the doctor’s visit. Mr. R. Masters, M.P.. will open his election campaign on Mondav evening, when he will address the electors at Egmont Village. On the following evening he will speak at Stratford, on Wednesday at Tarata, and on Thursday at Mahoe.

The residents of Stratford and district are notified that Ernest Davies, the London qualified sight-testing optician, visits Stratford every Tuesday, and may be consulted at Mr. Gaffaney’s. Broadway. Hours: 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Let Your Girls Learn to Sew. —2 Traced D’Oyleys. with white or colored cottons for working, post free for 1/6: 2 traced d’oyleys. with white or colored cotton for working, in better quality, post free 1/10; traced camisoles in various shapes, with white or colored cotton