HISTORY

1955 to 1960

 

On the 12th October 1955 the Rangiora County Council sent a letter to all households of Woodend concerning the fire fighting facilities in the district. At a public meeting held prior to the 6th December 1955, the chairman of the meeting, Mr G.F Sheppard, stated that the attendance was too small to make any decision concerning the water supply for fire fighting in Woodend and it was requested that the Rangiora County Council call a meeting of all householders in Woodend to explain the arrangements entered into with the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade, the responsibility of the council in assisting in the provision of water for fire fighting.

 

A public meeting was held on the 26th April 1956 to discuss the question of Fire protection for Woodend. 

 

On the 19th June 1956, the elected committee tendered £75 for the Leyland Fire Engine for sale by the Kaiapoi Fire Board. The committee were advised on the 22nd June 1956 that there tender was unsuccessful.

 

A circular dated 27th July 1960, was sent to all residents of Woodend, advising that the Rangiora County Council was prepared to purchase a truck, fitted with a 500 gal water tank, to  be stationed in Woodend for the purpose of fire protection.

A committee was set up at the public meeting to raise funds and for the administration of the scheme for the district. It was hoped that sufficient money could be raised so that a pump and hoses could be purchased. A house to house canvass was undertaken by the committee and a total of £349.5.6 was collected.

 

A 1944 International K4 2 ton truck was purchased by the Rangiora County Council  from the North Canterbury Electric Power Board in November 1960, at a cost of £150. From information gathered this vehicle was delivered to Woodend and was immediately fitted with 2 x 400 gal steel water tanks. It is understood that this vehicle was available for use as a water tanker virtually upon arrival in Woodend. That was approximately !st December 1960.

 

In the meantime the matter of erecting a station was well underway. From old invoices and discussions with past members, it has been established that the building was commissioned in December 1960. All members of the committee worked on the building, with trees being donated by the Woodend Beach Domain Board, the logs were milled at Petries Mill, the Rangiora County Council supplying the cement, J. Deyell & Co the shingle and Ashby Berg donating the ridging. With all these donations it was completed for £154.5.6. The exact date of completing the building is unknown but estimated as February 1961, as on 17th March 1961, Staff Officer A.J Edmonds of the Fire Service Council was in Woodend on a routine visit and members recall that the station was complete at that time.

 

It was then decided that 15th December 1960 was to be the date of the official formation of the Woodend Volunteer Fire Brigade.