CARTERTON FIRE BRIGADE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8553, 11 October 1907, Page 5

CARTERTON FIRE BRIGADE.

OPENING OF THE NEW STATION.

! (From Our Carterton Correspondent.) The uew Fire Brigade Station at Carterton was socially opened yesterday, the Mayor, Mr W. Moore, performing the ceremony. A fair number of the public were present, and brigades from other towns were represented. Mr Lumley, after apologising for the absence of the Masterton Brigadesmen, who were unable to attend, called upon the Mayor to open the building. Mr Moore said that it gave him great pleasure to declare the building open. The structure was a credit to the town, and equal to —if not better than —firo brigade stations in other towns the same size as Carterton. Mr Moore traced the history of the Brigade from its inception 29 years ago up to the present time, and said that many difficulties had been encountered in the work of keeping the Brigade in existence. It was due to the strenuous, efforts of a few that the erection of tfie present building was brought about. Some years ago when the first Fire Brigade was formed in Carterton the men had no appliances to work with, and a small engine was purchased, which the men christened the "Bull Pup." This engine had done good service, bjt it was found that a larger one was required. A larger engine was obtained at considerable expense. The engine had done excellent service, but with the installation of a high-pressure water supply in the town moro up-to-date appliances were necessary. A hose reel had been recently purchased. He complimented the brigadesmen on the energy they had displayed in promoting the late bazaar and carrying it io a successful issue. The lining of the building, the woodwork of the interim, he said, had been done by the members of the Brigade, and they had- done their work well. He had much pleasure in declaring the station open. Mr Lumley detailed the expenditure that had been incurred and the cost of the material.

The public were then invited to inspect the building. In the evening a complimentary dinner was given by the Carterton Brigade which "was attended by representatives of the Martinborough, Peatherston, Greytown and Masterton Fire Brigades and the Masterton Fire Police Corps. The Mayor occupied the chair, and the following toasts were honoured: "The King," the Chairman; "The Contractors," Secretary Campbell — Mr Maguire; "U.F.8.A.," Secretary E. Pragnell—Captain Webster (Greytown); "Prosperity to Carterton," Mr H. W. Browne—Mr G, A. Fairbrother; "Visiting Firemen," Firen:ai Canton—Captain Webster (Greytown), Captain Dixon (Master ton Fire Police), Lieut. Ewington (Masterton), Captain Hobman (Martinborough), and Secretary Tucker (Featherston); "Carterton Fire Brigade," Mr Jas. Baillie —Captain Lumley; "Our Lady Supporters," Fireman Stove—Fireman Callender; "Our Financial Supporters - and Sympathisers," Lieut. W. Toomath —Messrs W. W. Mansfield and Jas. Baillie; "The Chairman," Fireman A. Judd—Mr W. Moore; "The Musician," Mr E. McKenzie—Mr F. Roydhouse; "The Press," the Chairman—-Mr Redman. Songs were rendered by Messrs 11. Wakelin, Warner (encored), C. Wakelin, F. Roydhouse (encored), Lieut. Ewington (encored), W. Moore and A. Judd. A humorous reading was given by Mr J. Baillie. During the interval the Chairman presented the Secretary, Mr W. Campbell, with a five years' service m?dal, and expressed appreciation of his self-sacrificing services.