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Fifty years ago in Motueka it was felt that it was high time the town had an efficient and organised fire-fighting organisation. So it was that the Motueka Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed. Last month, past and present Members of the brigade met at Motueka to celebrate the brigade's golden jubilee. We felt this occasion should not go unmarked and in the next three pages have recorded some of the events which occurred in the brigade's first 50 years.

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Above is the brigade when first founded in 1912, and its old horse-drawn engine. Below, the very latest word in fire-fighting appliances, is the machine recently bought for the brigade at a cost of some £6500. It is due for service in March next year.

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Firemen are usually called out to extinguish fires, but last month the brigade was asked to sat one on fire and not put it out. It was felt that fire was the best means of demolishing an old house and the brigade did the job with the same efficiency reserved for its normal duties.

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A couple of arsonists (legal on this occasion), Jock Primmer and Chief Fire Officer Alec Stuart, setting the building alight.

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In 1956 the brigade was called out to fight its biggest fire – in the Motueka Apple and Pear Board's cool store. Damage amounted to £225,000.
(All pix by John R. Sharp).

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A brigade photo taken just before World War II. At back, Messrs O. C. Wilkinson, W. Robinson, A. Atkins, G. Talbot, H. Hogan, D. Skilton, G. Goodman; front, L. Kelling, M. T. Simpson, A. Canton, D. Simpson, and R. Primmer.

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The big fire of 1938 which burnt down the Post Office Hotel, the Post Office, and the store of Manoy and Sons (now Vickerman's).