In 1893 William and Flora moved to live at Palmerston North where he carried on his plumbing and then the opportunity came to join the Fire Brigade rising in rank to Superitendant living at Central Fire Station, Cuba Street, Palmerston Nth

MR. W.H. BARNARD - FIRE CHIEF PASSES AFTER LONG RECORD OF SERVICE

Following an illness lasting seven weeks, Mr. William Hooper Barnard, superintendent of the Palmerston North Fire Brigade for nearly a quarter of a century, and a highly efficient and popular officer, passed away at 4 a.m. today. Not only because he was a well-known personality, highly respected by all sections of the community, but also because of his splendid work in fire-fighting and dealing with serious conflagrations which have from time to time occurred in the city, there will be deep regret at his passing.

Born in Oamaru, Mr.Barnard spent most of his boyhood in Wellington where he married Miss. F. Jeffries. His first occupation on coming to this centre some 43 years ago was that of a plumber and 42 years had elapsed last January since he linked up with the Palmerston North Fire Brigade, then a unit of very modest dimensions. He subsequently joined the staff of the Borough Council, working up to the position of both works foreman there and volunteer foreman of the Fire Brigade. When the latter was established as an institution for which the town accepted the financial responsibility, with the underwriters, Mr. Barnard became of the permanent staff attached to the station. Zeal and capability in attending to his duties saw him made steady progress through the officers' ranks, and 23 years ago, when Superintendent Warner was appointed to Christchurch, Mr. Barnard succeeded to the position on May 22, 1912. During his long association with the brigade, Mr. Barnard saw it grow with the city, developing in stages from the manual engine of the volunteers to the subsequent high pressure equipment, with reels, of the permanent brigade, and the transition of the mode of transport from horse-drawn vehicles to the present modern and powerful motors.

From the time he joined the brigade in 1893, Mr. Barnard had faithfully and energetically discharged his responsible duties and had been instrumental, through his fire-fighting efforts, in protecting from the flames, property worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Throughout his career as superintendent, he maintained a kindly but firm discipline, and today the men attached to the large station in Cuba Street, where three engines, besides the tender, are kept in readiness, feel that they have lost a leader in the full sense of the word. Mr. Barnard never shirked personal risk where it was necessary, led his men like a true fireman and by his example maintained a superb morale among what is recognised by property owners in the city as a very well-trained and efficient brigade. He was always gallant in his endeavours, yet extremely loath to receive praise where it was undoubtedly due. With him the brigade and its maintenance at the proper strength was always his first duty, and he was not one to forget the welfare of the men who served so willingly under him.

TESTIMONY TO ABILITY

Possessing the gold star in recognition of 20 years service and eight gold bars awarded subsequently at two-yearly intervals, Mr. Barnard was a past president and a life member of the United Fire Brigades Association and was president for the current year of the New Zealand branch of the British Institute of Fire Engineers - a marked testimony to the Dominion-wide respect for his service and ability. He was superintendent of the Palmerston North branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, in whose activities he took a close interest and a vice-president of the Palmerston North City Silver Band. Mr. Barnard was a member of the Manchester Unity, I.O.O.F., and an ex-member of the old Wellington Naval Volunteers, with whom he showed his prowess both as a rifle and artillery manksman. He was, in the earlier years of his Fire Brigade service, a familiar and successful figure in fire-fighting competitions.

The deceased officer is survived by his widow and two sons, Messrs. James Barnard (Eltham) and Jack Barnard (Timaru), to whom the deep sympathy of many friends will be extended in their bereavement. There are ten grandchildren. Another son, Mr. P. Barnard, predeceased his father nearly five years ago.

Today the flags on the Central Fire Station and Municipal Buildings were flying at half-mast as a mark of respect for Mr. Barnard.

The interment will take place in the Kelvin Grove Cemetery tomorrow afternoon. Full Fire Brigade funeral honours will be accorded the late Superintendent and the casket will be conveyed on a fire engine to his last resting place. Wreaths will follow in another engine in the cortege and a squad of firemen will march in front. It is the intention of the City Silver Band and the St. John Ambulance Brigade to be in attendance.

MANAWATU STANDARD 19th MAY, 1935 FINAL TRIBUTES LATE MR. W.H. BARNARD

AN IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL

Accorded the full honour of a fireman's funeral, the late Mr. W.H. Barnard, superintendent of the Palmerston North Fire Brigade, who passed away early on Saturday morning, was borne reverently yesterday afternoon to his last resting place, the Kelvin Grove Cemetery. Hundreds of mourners, including many from other centres, paid their final tributes, taking part in the exceptionally lengthy cortege, which, by the time in reached the cemetery, consisting of some 150 vehicles. It was an eloquent testimony to the esteem in which the late superintendent was held.

The fire-bell clanged slowly as the cortege, headed by the City Silver Band playing "A Garland of Flowers" left the Central Fire Station for All Saints' Church, where Canon G.Y. Woodward conducted a short service. The choir sang "Lead Kindly Light" and at the conclusion of the service, the organist Mr. J. Holmes Runnicles, played Handel's "Dead March" (Saul). The procession then moved off for the cemetery, the pall-bearers at the church being Messrs. J.A. Nash, M.P., and A.J. Graham, ex-chairman of the Fire Board; Mr. A.E. Mansford, present chairman; Superintendent Woolley (Wellington Fire Brigade); Superintendent Morrison (Hawera); and Mr. Gibson (Wellington), secretary of the New Zealand branch of the Institute of Fire Engineers.

Marching immediately behind the band were the Fire Police, Fire Brigade Old Boys, St. John Ambulance Brigade and visiting fire brigade superintendents. Then came a tender laden with wreaths and the large fire engine carrying the casket, on which was placed the late Mr. Barnard's fire helmet. Cars followed with the chief mourners and close friends.

The Order of Procession underwent a change on reaching the Victoria Avenue intersection. Quietly, the marchers' ranks opened up allowing the fire engines to continue straight on to the front. As these and other vehicles passed, the firemen stepped on to them with absolute precision, the cortege never halting until it reached the cemetery with the engines in the lead. Firemen stood at the salute and the bell was tolled as the cortege passed the Terrace End station.

At the cemetery, the casket was borne to the graveside by six pallbears from the United Manawatu Lodge - Bros. G.G. Priest, A. Roe, J.A. Grant, A.W. Thompson, A.J. Elliott and R. Donald. Canon Woodward conducted the service which was followed by the Masonic rites performed by W.M., G.G. Priest, Bros, J.A. Grant, W.W. Coutts and A.E. Mansford, and the funeral service of the Oddfellows. Finally members of the Fire Brigade filed slowly up to the grave, saluted, and passed on.

The numerous wreaths and other floral tributes included those from officers and members of the Palmerston North, Wellington, Auckland, Wanganui, Feilding, Masterton and Hawera Fire Brigades; the Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand; Palmerston North Fire Board; permanent staff of the Palmerston North Fire Brigade; Lodge United Manawatu; Wellington district staff of St. John Ambulance; Loyal Britannia Lodge; Wanganui Fire Board; Palmerston North City Council and staff; Palmerston North Fire Police; Palmerston North Division of St. John Ambulance; Institute of Fire Engineers (New Zealand Division); directors and staff of Colonial Motor Co. Ltd. (Wellington); Ford Motors (Manawatu) Ltd.; Levy's, Ltd. (Wellington); Cosmopolitan Club; old friends of Cosmopolitan Club; Superintendent and Mrs. Warner (Christchurch); Superintendent and Mrs. Woolley (Wellington).

Their three sons: