A Real Gisborne Farewell

The sight of three fire engines, fully-manned, turning out of the station on a recent Sunday morning probably alarmed bystanders into asking the time-honoured question, "Where's the fire?"

When they braked to a stop outside the Albion Hotel, the eyes of the curious were to be seen scanning the skies for fire and smoke.

But the only real warmth to be felt was in the hearts of the men on the engines, for this was their way of paying tribute to their old chief, Jack Kane, due to bow out of the local scene that morning, after 49 years with the brigade.

Mr Kane and his daughter, Mrs G. Northley, of Lower Hutt, were soon aboard the leading engine. With a police escort and an occasional whine of the siren, the procession made for the border at Chalmers Road, where (after handshakes all round) Mr Kane and his daughter continued their journey south.