Patea Freezing Company Fire Brigade Meeting

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1942, Page 5

Patea Freezing Company Fire Brigade Meeting

Progress of the Patea Freezing Company's volunteer fire brigade was reviewed at the annual meeting on Saturday, over Which Superintendent C. H. Carey presided. Members of the Waverley fire brigade were present. The credit balance of £19 15s 5d was largely a result of a Christmas competitiori, which brought in £13 7s, said the ceport. Average attendance at 39 roll ealls was 83 per cent. Superintendent Carey represented the brigade at a special conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association, when _ emergency precautions were dealt with. At a meeting of the New Zealand Officers and Members' Institute Superintendent Carey was elected a vice-president. Because of the petrol restrictions the Taranaki district conference was abandoned this year. Twelve men were enrolled as an auxiliary brigade and fitted with E.P.S. uniforms. . . . The attendance was good, said Superintendent Carey, but would have been higher except that two members were frequently on shift duty and unable to attend. Inter-brigade competitions between the two Patea and the Waverley brigades increased the enthusiasm of members. The Dominion fire controller, Mr. R. Girling-Butcher, recbmmended that the two auxiliary brigades should be one unit and Superintendents Coad and Carey had the matter in hand. The amalgamation, he said, should be of benefit to the town. The general manager of the Patea Freezing Company, Mr. F. Naismith, referred to the work of Superintendent Carey and to the progres made by the brigade., The management now felt, he said, that they could go away and know the works were secure. The Mayor, Mr. F. Ramsbottom, commended the brigade on the success of its efforts. Assistance given by the Patea brigade was mentioned by the works manager, Mr. A. Coyte. Superintendent N. R. Coad, Patea Volunteer Fire Brigade, said the meeting roim would be at the disposal of the brigade at any time. At Superintendent Carey's request, Mr. Naismith installed the following officers: Superintendent Carey, Deputy-Superin-tendent A. Wills, Foreman W. Field and Secretary Fireman G. Cosford. Mr. S. Edwards was appointed honorary auditor. Fireman W. Old was appointed a member of the general committee. The five years' service star gained by Secretary Cosford was presented to him by the Mayor, for he had spent four and a-half years in the Patea municipal brigade. Trophies were presented by Mr. A. Coyte as follows: Mr. Naismith's trophy, Fireman J. White; Superintendent Carey's trophy, Foreman W. Field: Mr. I. Harkness's trophy, Fireman N. Martin, Mr. Coyte handed to the brigade a cup presented by the chairman of the company, Mr. C. Dickie. The cup will be competed for annually. The secertary was granted an honorarium of £2 2s in appreciation of his services. Mr. Cosford intimated his intention of presenting a trophy, as did the Mayor. Superintendent Carey said the shield he had given was not competed for, the chief reason being that the Patea brigade had several members away on active service, and he did not think his brigade should take advantage of this. It was mentioned the superintendent and Foreman Field attended all 39 roll calls. Those present were entertained at supper by the freezing company briga'1