MASTERTON FIRE BRIGADE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9537, 8 July 1909, Page 7

MASTERTON FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Masterton Fire Brigade was held on Tuesday evening, Superintendent Jenkins presiding over a full attendance. A letter wag received from the Secretary of the United Fire Brigades' Association enclosing forms for the annual returns and notifying the Brigade of the Executive's decision on Rule 2. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — Senior Foreman, C Jenkins (reelected); Junior Foreman, J. Johnson; First Branchman, T. Feilding; Second Branchman, R. Morris; Third Branchman, A. IC. Johnston; Fourth Branchman, W. Blinkhorne; First Hydrantman, B. Braggins; Second Hydrantman, J. Stewait; Assistant Engineer, W. Blinkhorne; Secretary, E. Pragnell (re-elected). Superintendent Jenkins present life-member E. J, Braggins with a two years' extra service bar on the completion ot 19 years' work in the Brigade. The Superintendent also I presented Branchman T, Feilding on the cmopletion of seven years' service with an extra two years' bar. A committee consisting of Fireman B. Braggins, E. Jenkins, A. K. Johnston, D. Knowell, E. McEwen and J. Johnson, was appointed to de- ' vise ways and means to increase the members' fund. Superintendent Jenkins thanked the men for the good work and abie assistance renered during the year. The secretary in his annual report stated inter alia: — For the year just ended 58 musters were recorded, a decrease of 7 compared with the previous year. The total musters for the year are classified, viz.:—Meetings, 26; alarms, chimneys, 6; alarms, fires in build- , ings, 18; false alarms and rubbish, j 5; special parades, 3. The average attendances for the year were: — Alarms, 19J; meetings, 20$. The reduced strength of the membership will explain the decrease. Deputy Superintendent Pickering heads the list with the possible (58). Super--intendent Jenkins (57), and Foreman Jenkins (57) coming next. During the year there were 12 resignations received, 2 members struck off the rtiil, and five i.ew members elected. The following members were [f iv sented with U F.B.A. service honours during the year: —Fireman E. McEwen, Lieutenant Ewington, Fireman B. Braggins, and Branchman E. Warner, . Extra Service Bars; Branchman P. Holmes, 3 Years' Certificate; Superintendent Jenkins, Engineer E. braggins, and Branchman Feilding, 2 Years' Extra Bars. I regret that in spite of repeated requests that our honorary members roll has been considerably reduced, prominent business men who have always supported the brigade in this direction, have decined to subscribe, owing to the prevailing depression that has been existing now for some considerable time. Since coming under the Board the brigade have been working unaerj their old rules. A committee was appointed and drafted new rules which were submitted to the brigade and approved and are now awaiting the final confirmation of the Board. In conclusion I wish to convey my thanks to the auditors, Messrs D. A. Pickering, J. Prentice, and H. E. Gardner, likewise to the Press for their pub- «• lication of meetings, etc., from time to time, and also to the members of the brigade for their uniform countesy at all times, and without having to indulge in flattery I must say a word of praise is due to Superintendent ] Jenkins, for the'present efficiently of the brigade is due to the untiring interest lie evinces in fire brigade matters generally, which is ably supported by the Deputy Superintendent. In my official capacity I have endeavoured to discharge my duties to the best of my ability, and from the senior officers I ghave received every courtsay during the coming year wiilch is? & novel one in the history of Masterton, I sincerely hope that the brigade will attain a still higher standard ot efficiency which can only be accomplished with the addition of better appliances and quicker methods of conveying the plant to outbreaks of fire which must necessarily minimise risks and danger to life and property. Again wishing e\ery member and the brigade as a whole every success, trusting thai the harmony existing at present bet%veen officers and • men will predominate throughout the I coimng year.