MASTERTON MUNICIPAL FIRE BRIGADE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8519, 27 August 1907, Page 5

MASTERTON MUNICIPAL FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL BANQUET. The annual banquet of the Masterton Municipal Fire Brigade was held in the Exchange Hall last evening. The attendance numbered over 100, and included representatives of the Masterton Borough Council, Trust Lands Trust, Fire Board, Masterton Municipal Brass Band and Fire Police. The Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine) occupied the chair. Several apologies for absence were received. An excellent dinner was provided by Mr W. Wilkes. After this had been partaken of a lengthy toast list was honoured. The toast of "The King" was proposed by the Chairman, and drunk with musical honours. Mr R. Brown proposed the toast of the "Parliament of New Zealand." He said Parliament was an institution that we all ought to respect, though it was rather expensive. He noticed that Sir W. J. Steward had tried to "imprnve" Parliament by introducing women into the Legislative Council, but the Upper House were "not having any." He coupled the toast with Mr 0. Pragnell, whom he termed "our coming member." Mr Pragnell, in reply, said it was rather unfortunate that Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., was not present to respond to the toast. Without detracting in ar.y way from the merits of the Legislative Council he considered Parliament would be improved by the introduction of women into the Council. Captain Jenkins, in proposing the "Masterton Borough Council," paid a tribute to the good work that that body was doing. The Mayor, replying, expressed his pleasure at being present at the gathering. The present position of the Council was unique, because this would be the last occasion that the Council could say it was the controlling authority of the Brigade. As they were aware the Brigade was shortly to come under the control of the Fire Board. He believed this was a good movement, and one that he had al- j ways given his support. In saying "good-bye," as it were, he would say that the Council had always been proud of the .Brigade, which was a credit to the town. He sincerely believed that the Brigade would make greater progress and more fully develop when it was removed from the Borough Council. He wished the Brigade every success as a body. (Applause). Cr W. Pragnell said the Brigade had always done good and noble work for the town of Masterton. He hoped the Brigade would always have a successful career. Cr. Prentice said he had always taken an interest in the Fire Brigade, and was pleased to b3 privileged to address such a gathering. He said very few knew the hardships the members of the Brigade had to go through, and it. was a credit to them to be always ready at duty's call. Cr J. C. Ewington said, as they knew, he was a member of rhe Fire Board, and his first duty on that Board would be to see to the welfare of the Brigade. The Brigade required to be properly housed, and he was sure he was speaking for the other members of the Board when he said that that matter would receive careful attention.

Cr A. Haughey said he was sure the Masterton Brigade compared very favourably with any Brigade in the colony. The members of the Brigade, he considered, were most unselfish men, because they suffered various personal discomforts for the sake of their fellow men. He considered that the condition of the Brigade would be much improved under the Fire Board. In proposing the "Trust Lands Trust," Mr D. A. Pickering said he was quite sure that the Trust, as it was composed at present, would always support the Brigade. He considered that the Trust, besides giving an annual grant, should set aside a site for a new building for the Brigade, and allow the Brigade and the Fire Board to consider the new station problem. He believed that the Fire Brigade already had a site vested in the Trust, and the matter should be The Brigade certainly required a station, and if they secured a long lease of a site at a peppercorn rental, a new building could then "be erected. Mr E. McEwen, during the course of his reply, explained why the Trust had not given the Brigade its annual grant when it was first applied for. This was because the Trust thought that the Fire Board had already taken over the control of the Brigade. He, for one, could assure the Brigade that it would always receive fair treatment from the Trust. Mr R. Krahagen said the Brigade could always be assured of his support as a Trustee. He agreed with Mr Pickering that the Brigade required a site for a new station. ;The toast of the "United Fire Brigades' Association" was proposed by Mr E. Pragnell, secretary of the Brigade. He considered the toa.it a very appropriate one, and detailed the objects of the United Fire Brigades' Association. He explained that there were 104 Brigades affiliated to the Association with a membership of 2,035. At the last conference in Christchuich there were 102 delegates present. The benefits derived from the Association were very great, and he for one would be'very sorry if the Association were annihilated. He attributed the present efficiency of the Masterton Fire Brigade to the fact that it was affiliated to the Association. He expressed the hope that the Masterton »Brigade would continue to win laurels in the future as it had done in the past. Mr D. A. Pickering and Fireman F. Haughey briefly replied. In proposing the toast of the "Fire Board," Mr J. Prentice said the Board was composed of men who had a good grasp of what firemen wanted. He intended to watch the working of tho Board, and if he saw that anything was wanted he would make his voice heard. He was very glad the Board was formed, because the Brigade would now get the treatment they deserved.

Mr 0. Pragnell, Government representative on the Fire Board, reminded those present that the Board was not yet properly constituted, and it was not likely that the Board would hold a meeting for the next two or three.months. Perhaps it would surprise. them to know that .Fire Boards were not new institutions. They had been in existence in England since 1866. He considered that the Board was a good innovation, because the insurance companies would now have to bear part of the cost of the up-keep of the Fire Brigades. In the past the Masterton Brigade had had to send deputation after deputation to the Masterton Boro"gh Council in order to obtain what they should be entitled to for the mere writing. The Brigade was a noble body of men, and in his opinion the members should be paid for their services, or at least for the time they lost. It had been said that the Brigade was an efficient body, and that being so they should have an efficient plant and be properly housed. He was also of opinion that something should be done to. establish a social fund for the Brigade, so that the members could enjoy themselves. As well as being paid for their services he considered that the Brigade should share in an insurance system whereby the firemen when injured at their duties would receive full compensation. He asked the Brigade not to judge the Board harshly for the first year, at least. He could assure them that all their reasonable requests would be treated by the Board in a business-like and straightforward manner. In conclusion he advised the Brigade to "stick" to the United Fire Brigades' Association. The toast of "Life and Honorary Members of the Brigade" was proposed by Fireman McEwen, and responded to by ex-Fireman P. Gilbert, ex-Foreman J. Symes, ex-Captain D. Pickering and ex-Captain J. Prentice. The remainder of the toast list was as follows: —"Masterton Municipal Brass Band," Mr A. Haughey —Mr G. Hutchinson; "The Fre Police," Mr R. Krahagen—Captain Dixon and Lieutenant Wilton; "The Press," Mr P. Gilbert. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs R. Henry, W. Norman, N. McEwen, T. YVaterson, Bowden, Collins, J. Elder, E; McEwen and T. Thompson. A vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding vn carried by acclamation. At the conclusion of the gathering "Auld Lang Syne" was sung by Mr T. Waterson, the company joining in the chorus.