DELEGATES ENTERTAINED AT A BANQUET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9046, 12 March 1908, Page 5

DELEGATES ENTERTAINED AT A BANQUET.

IMPOSING FUNCTION AT TOWN HALL. THE HON. JAS. CARROLL PRESENT. The delegates to the Conference / were entertained at a banquet at the Town Ha!! last evening, when over two hundred and fifty guests sat down, including leading citizens of the town, representatives fronv neighbouring brigades, and, among the chief guests, the Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister) and Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P. The entry of the Hon. the Minister was the signal for a creat demonstration, the company singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and giving three cheers. The chair was taken bv His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine), and he was supported by the Hon. Mr Carroll on one hand, and Mr A. W. Hogg on the other. Among the citizens present were: —Crs J. H. Pauling, J. Elliott, A. rlaughey, W. Pragnell, W. Morris, J. Yarr, J. Prentice, and J. C.. Ewington, Mr W. T. Mansfield (Act-ing-Town Clerk and Borough Engineer), Messrs E. G. Eton, R. Krahagen and E. McEwen (Trust Lands Trust), R. Brown (Secretary Masterton Fire Board), W. M. Easthope (life member Masterton Fire Brigade), and Rev. A. M. Johnson. The chief delegates were seated at the Ministerial table, the new President of the Association Foreman Wiidish, of Gisborne, being seated next Mr Carroll. The company sat down at eight large tables, the three tables containing che chief guests being situated on the stage. There were present at the function a large number of ex-firemen. The scene in the Hall was a brilliant one the bright uniforms of the firemen, set off as many of them were with bright steel shoulders guards and other equally striking facings, giving the function something of an appearance of a military function. The tables had been tastefully decorated with palms and floral bouquets, and they j looked most inviting with the sumptuous array. A noticeable feature of the r brilliant spectacle was a number of white-haired old veterans in the service, who had their breasts completely covered with decorations. The Chairman opened the proceedings with an address, in the course of which he expressed the great pleasure it gave him to preside at such an important function. The Chairman had been set down for an address at the opening, but owing to the lateness of the hour of opening he stated that this would be dispensed with. Mr Coradine read apologies for absence from the Right Hon. the Premier (Sir J. Ward), the Mayor of Carterton (Mr Moore), and Cr F. W. Temple, of Masterton, all of whom sent best wishes for a pleasant gathering. The toast of "The King" was then honoured. The Chairman proposed the toast of the United Fire Brigades' Association, and in doing so said that he had not taken an active interest in Fire Brigade matters, but he ! knew that when a body,of men took . it upon themselves to do the noble i work which brigadesrnen did, they ■- generally accomplished very mate--1 rial good. It was somewhat strange, but nevertheless it was right, thac a body of men should 'take an interest in the preservation of private ' property belonging to others, and ' it was to the honour of firemen that their work was often fraught with

great danger, and involved, not only a great loss of time on occasions, but also home comfort. The toast was one which the speaker felt it difficult to do adequate justice to, but he knew that it would sufficiently appeal to his hearers without any wordy embellishments on his part. The toast, which was coupled with the names of the President and exPresident was enthusiastically drunk, with musical honours.

I Foreman Wildish (President of the j Association) said it pleased him very I greatly, and, no doubt the whole of his delegates, to hear the laudatory remarks which had fallen from the Chairman's lips. The Association numbered 104 brigades, and the work of fire fighting was a pleasure to them. The speaker wished to extend very hearty thanks to the Brigademen and Fire Police of Masterton for the kind way they had treated the delegates on their visit to Masterton. The firemen who had the pleasure of visiting the 1908 Conference would carry away pleasant recollections of their stay in Masterton. It was somewhat of a coincidence that on such an auspicious occasion for the speaker, who confessed to being backward in speech-making, the chief guest shouhl also he a Gisborne representative—the Hon. Mr Carroll. The speaker concluded his speech by again thanking the Masterton Brigadesmen, Fire Police, and general public for the kind treatment meted out to the delegates. (Prolonged applause.) Ex-President Hanson (Westport), in responding, said that 29 years ago the Association had started very inauspiciously with the small number of some 200 firemen, while at present it boasted nearly 2,250 men, comprising over 100 brigades. It spoke volumes for the persistency and energy of the brigadesmen of the dominion that they had succeeded in inducing the Parliament of the country to place on the statute book such an advanced legislative enactment as the Fire Brigades' Act. The present gathering was, the speaker had no hesitation in saying, the record gathering of its kind ever held in New Zealand, and it was to the credit of the local Firemen and Fire Police that they had entertained their guests in such a royal fashion, and bad facilitated the business of the. Conference by every means in their power. He felt sure„that the dominion's fire brigade world would ring with the name of } Masterton when delegates returned home. (Hear! hear! and loud applause). The thanks of all firemen were due to the Hon. Mr Carroll for his efforts to remove firemen from the position of beggars to their right station in the community. (Hear! Hear!) He concluded by again thanking the Chairman for his remarks, and the people of Masterton for their hospitality. Captain Bellringer (of Napier Brigade) proposed the toast of the Parliament of New Zealand. The speaker said in ouv Parliament we boasted a Premier held in the highest estima tion bv politicians all over the globe. The members of Parliament individually also were a body of itien who commanded the respect of every fireman in New Zealand, ai xious as they had all shown themselves to be to im- j prove the condition of firemen. The Hon. Mr Caroll had personally marii- I fested the greatest interest in the welfare of firemen, and when a deputation of brigadesmen had waited, upon him he had shown them the ut-1 most courtesy and consideration. In | piloting the Fire Brigade Act through ( the House the hon. gentleman had \ done so with conspicuous ability, and firemen appreciated this. (Loud applause). The speaker paid a high tribute to the memory of the late Premier, and said how deeply grieved they all were that his manly presence could not grace the function 1 , that night—he who had ever taken the keenest personal interest in the Conference's deliberations. He asked the company to charge their glasses and drink a bumper toast to the Parliament firemen so greatly respected. The toast was also drunk with musical honours, and was coupled with the names of the Hon. Mr Carroll and Mr Hogg. The Hon. Mr Carroll, in reply, said he need hardly say how pleased he was to be present on such an occasion. From the intimate first acquaintance the speaker had with firemen he had learned to respect them and their cause. From various conferences the speaker had had with the able leaders of the United Fire Brigades' Association in New Zealand in the pist he had been forcWy impressed with the extreme value and importance of the great organisation which included such a grand body of men. Drawn, as firemen were, from the ranks of those who were not large property holders, they carried out a public service with a steadfastness of purpose which showed the intrinsic social worth of the fireman as a citizen. In steering the Fire Brigades Act through the stormy seas of Parliament naturally the contending opposition of vested interests had been encountered, but it had been placed on the Statute Book at last. It was at first certainly an imperfect Act, but the Government were thankful even for that—they were satisfied to have the leading principles embodied in the Act affirmed. ' At first it was attempted to limit the operation of the Act to only the "vessels of large burthen"—the smaller vessels were not wanted to be admitted, but this had not been accomplished. The speaker was glad to hear from the lips of previous speakers that the United Fire Brigades' Association had made such vigorous strides, and he hoped it would go on and flourish, as it had done in the past. The speaker noticed that there were now eighteen fire districts in the dominion which showed how the Act had already been availed of, and he predicted that it would increase its utility with greater momentum, as time went on. He mentioned that eleven applications had been received for the position of Fire Inspector for the dominion, and it was the Government's intention to select a man whose qualifications would be unimpeachable, (Applause). Speaking on the political aspect of the toast the Minis ter said he was naturally flattered to hear such complimentary remarks fall from the proposer of the toast It remained, however, for the firemei to endorse his remarks in a few months' time when the Governmenl rray or may not be told whethe; their "brigade" should be improvec or not. It was unquestioned that th< Parliaments of New Zealand had a

j least attempted to solve many of theproblems of the day -which other countries had not yet faced. It may v have been that we were fortunate in some respects, but it could not. be denied that to the people and to their leaders in the House a great deul of credit was due. Many battles had. raged in the past as some minds had advanced with the times, and others had retained old ideas. It was opposed to national progress that any > ideal should savour too much of one' - "ism," and a broad and universal. : consideration of all great questions* ' should characterise political life. The Minister concluded his speech by wishing the United Fire Brigades' Association every success in its future work, and said that they would always find him ready and willing to assist the cause of the fire service of the dominion. He bade them earnestly, "Kia ora, koutou katoa!'' (Good luck to one and all!) The Minister was loudly applauded" at the conclusion of his speech. Mr Hogg, in replying to the toast, opened with some humorous references to the fire service if applied practically to parliamentary procedure. The speaker thought he would, if a fireman, make a very good, branchman! (Laughter)! He would, be in his glory playing very cold' water on the Opposition. (Renewed; laughter). Speaking seriously the speaker said he was delighted that such an important Conference should be held in his district, and he congratulated the people of the town,, and particularly the promoters of the present Conference arrangements, on their enterprise. The season was. appropriate to such a gathering, as only recently this district had gone through such an ordeal of fire aswould awakt in the public mind a due sense of the responsibility which devolved on the community as a whole to support, its fire service. Mr Hogg ielated some amusing anecdotes of his own experiences as an \ amateur practical fireman, and in other similar spheres, the company enjoying them immensely. In conclusion, Mr Hogg said the Parliament of New Zealand was proud to acknowledge the valuable services of the brigadesmen of New Zealand, and would still further legislate, if nscessary, to conserve their interests. Captain King (Milton) proposed the toast of the local bodies, and in doing so, said that while Fire Bri-, gades looked after rhe properties of t the community, the local bodies attended likewise to the comforts of the people. Judging by the appearance of Masterton and its district, the local bodies here attended to its welfare in a trustworthy manner. As a member of a local body himself, the speaker could say with feeling that the lot of members of local bodies was often "more kicks than halfpence." Firemen, however, would no doubt give a measure of praise to local bodies by honouring the toast in a fitting way. The toast was duly honoured, and was replied to by Crs Morris and Yarr, both speakers paying tributes to the devotion of firemen to their duty, and giving local firemen an assurance that they had the loyal support of the Council in all their undertakings. ! Ex-President Hansen, at this stage, called forward Captain T. Jen[kins and Secretary E. Pragnell (Masterton Fire Brigade), and Captain Dixon and Secretary Wilton (Masterton Fire Police), and presented each with a valuable memento of the I Conference, on behalf of the delegates, in recognition of the valuable \ services they had rendered in entertaining the delegates. The two captains also received a souvenir for their respective wi'vjs. Captain Hansen said that the derails of the Conference had been splendidly carried out, and at no previous Con--1 ference had the delegates been better attended, and their work been so much a pleasure. He called for three hearty cheers for the recipients, the . invitation being heartily responded to. The presentations were suitably acknowledged. Secretary Robbins proposed the toast of the Local Fire Board. In tracing the history of the Fire Brigades' Act, since its enactment, he regx-etted that, what he termed a flaw in the Act, had enabled it to be dispensed with, as had been done in the case of Wellington. It had been asserted that the Act would rob firemen of their volunteer spirit, and this the speaker strongly contested. As a member of the first Fire Board established under t! e Act, he was pleased to observe that the insurance companies in a good many cases had come to recognise that the brigades had saved them many thousands of pounds per year, and in these instances the companies were gladly contributing their quota to the up-keep of brigades. The firemen were satisfied \ with the Act for the present, with all its faults, but if any attempt was made to rob the Act of its essential principles the firemen were going to fight such an attempt to the bitter end. What was going to be done 1 next, however, was the removal of the blot on the Act, which enabled a local body to dispense with the Act's . operation after it had been called into . such operation by the vote of the people (The Minister: Hear! Hear!) . The speaker' coupled with the toast , the name of the Chairman of the , Board.

Mr 0. Pragnell, Chairman of the Board, replied to the toast, and agreed with the proposer of the toast that the first amendment which was necessary to the welfare of Fire Boards was the one referred to by Secretary Bobbins. The speaker urged the Association to go ahead and increase its sphere of usefulness. Other toasts proposed were: —"The Fire Brigades' Accident Association," Cr Pauling—Captain King (Milton); "The Ladies," Mr Hogg—Foreman E. Deane; "The Press," Secretary Robbins.

At an interval in the* programme the chairman presented Fireman Church with his twenty-five years' gold star, the ceremony being carried out amidst vociferous applause. During the evening vocal items were rendered by the following :-- Messrs Schubert, H. Hall, W. Iggultlen, D. Walsh, Johnstone, H. Ogier, and VV. Norman. Mr H. Inns dayed Hie accompaniments in a very capable manner. The Municipal Band also rendered a number of selections, which were greatly appreciated, Bandmaster Hutchinson wielding the baton.