MASTERTON FIRE BRIGADE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8181, 12 July 1906, Page 7

MASTERTON FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The following Is the twentieth annual report of the Masterton Fire Brigade, which was submitted to the annual meeting of the Brigade on Tuesday evening:—The year just ende*d has been a most eventful one. The usual standard of efficiency bad been fully maintained. The brigade responded to 47 musters, which are olassifled as follows: meetings, 26; alarms, 17; special meetings, 4. Alarms are olassifled as follows: fire in chimneys, 8; chimney fires, 7; rubbish tires, 2. The average attendances are computed as follows: meetings, 25; special, 18-, fireß, 19%-; chimney fires, rubbish fires, 14. Total attendances for the year 1,065. Although the total masters are seven less than the previous year the ge3-ral attendance of members has considerably improved. The average attendance of each member was 23Ki compared with 21% for the previous year. In dealing with the outbreaks of fire not one required any special mention from a serious standpoint, which was solely due to the efficiency of the brigade under Captain Jenkins. The maximum musters for the year were 47, Fireman Braggins being first with the poss'ble, Captain Jenkins and Custodian Fielding tieing for .second place with 46, Engineer Norman, Branohman Jenkins, and Fireman Johnston third with 44 each. In marks Fireman Braggins was first with 47, Captain Jenkins second with 4(3, Custodian Fielding third with 45. Dining the year six mem-, bars resigned. Two members wire struck off the roll for continued absence. Nine members, including four old firemen, were eleoted during the year. There are thirteen life members and 18 honorary members or the roll. The seoretary recommended that a speuial effort bo made during the year to increase the roll of honorary members, and with that object he had written to all old members numbering about 45. The brigade took part in the floral fete procession whioh was organised with the object of raising funds for the new hospital. It was also represented on Boxing Day at the Carterton Friendly Sooiety's sports, and was successful in several of the competitions. Assistance was also rendered to the Masterton Band in organising the Baud sports, which were a decided success, the Fire Brigade, Band, and Rifle Volunteers we«"e promoting a baazar and exhibition with the object of placing the respective bodies on a sounder financial basis. An effiaient executive committee and various subcommittees were arduously at work, and judaing by the promised support the function should prove a huge financial success. Effective steps were taken by the Borough O/uncil to rem'edy the sound of the flrebell at the Central Station. Eighteen months ago a deputation waited on the Borough Council to disauastbe question, of providing more modern appliances with a view to oouing more efficiently with outbreaks of fire. The Council promised to give the matter consideraion, but that was the extent of their consideration up to the present. The brigade's executive committee, has also waited on the council, and brought very vividly before them the neoessity of providing better accommodation for the plant and quarters for the men. After a lengthy discussion on the matter the Mayor expressed the opinion that he thought a new fire station was within a reasonable distance and he would give the matter his earnest consideration and support. That proposal must also be classed "under consideration." However, a committee was appointed and authorised to make accommodation for the Jubilee engine, which was carried out by Messrs Evernden and Prentice under contract, and has given aatisfacton. A pair of steel spring nameless adjustable collars had been placed in position, and that reduced to a minimum the time of proceeding to a fire. A word of praise was due to the committee for putting into operation such a long felt want. A special committee was at present obtaining information and catalogues and would shortly present to. the council a general report in connection with the plant aud accommodation. The brigade had appointed Captain Jenkins a subsuriter New Zealand section of the British Fire Prevention committee, who forwarded a regular supply of literature on matters appertaining to the fire service, which was of muoh value as education, and contained all the latest and moat up-to-date methods of fire suppression. Captain Jenkins in January last was elected unopposed as delegate to the Nelson Fire Brigades' conference. The principal business from the Masterton Brigade was an application for a 25 years gold star for Hydrantman R. B. Church. Although the Association's sceretary bad offlcaially intimated that the application was in order Captain Jenkins repurted that the mattter bad/been deferred to enable the applicant to procure further documentary evidence of his earlier memberships Captain Jenkins was to be congratulated on the able manner in whioh be had represented the brigade at the oonference. Service honours were due and were presented as follows daring the year:—Extra service two years bars, Hydrantman R. B. Church, Lieut. Matthews, Branohman E. Jenkins; certificates, 3 years, Foreman MoOallooh, Custodian Fielding, and Junior Foreman E. Maher. During the year 12 meetings of the flnanoe committee were held and were presided over by Captain Jenkins. -Lieutenant Ewington, Firemen Haugbey, Johnston, MoEwen, and the Seoretary (Mr E. Pragnell) all have fall attendance, thus showing the interest taken by the committee in the discharge of their duties. The Seoretary recommended that, with a view to augmenting the Reserve Fand, a aommitteo be appointed to consider ways 4 and means of establishing a library in connection with the brigade, supervised by a librarian. He was of opinion that a library established -on sound lines would induce and encourage a oon siderable increase in the honorary membership. Daring the year dona tioos were received from the follow lag:—J. Staples and Co., £3j 3»; Postal Department, JS2 2a; Evernden and Prentice, £i Messrs McLeod

and Young, U. 0. Aitken ana the Commercial and Farmers' Olab donated magazines. In closing bis report the Secretary desired to tender bis appreciation of the courteay and assistance rendered to bim by the officers and members of the Brigade; also to GapUin Jenkins, wbuse untiring efforts and uniform courtesy were known to every member, which is fully demonstrated by the face that he has been re-elected unopposed to the highest position the Brigade can confer. He also thanked the Finance Committee, Press, the Borough Council, and the Auditors.