The Picton Volunteer Fire Brigade has been established for many years, and has done excellent sevice. The fire station is situated in Auckland Street, and consists of a storage shed with a small room at the rear; but as the accommodation is inadequate for the needs of the brigade, a large and more suitable building in soon (1905) to be erected near the Council Chambers in High Street. The appliances of the brigade include a manual engine, one hand reel, 800 feet of hose, several ladders, hooks, etc. There are fire plugs in almost every street, and the power is suffcient to throw water to the highest building in the township. Practice meetings are held monthly, and there is a membership of twelve. Officers for the year 1905; Captain, Mr. J. K. Jeffries; Secretary, Mr. G. Lloyds.

Mr. John Kennedy Jeffries , who was elected to his present position in August, 1905, is the junior partner of the firm of Messrs Jeffries Brothers, carrying and forwarding agents. He was born at Reefton, on the 23rd of September, 1876, and is the second son of Constable Jeffries, the oldest European resident of Nelson. He was educated at the Charlestowa public school, and at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, afterwards entered the Government service as a cadet in the railway department, and was engaged for six years as a clerk in the Picton office. Mr. Jeffries then resigned, and after spending two years in Australia, he returned to New Zealand, and joined his brother in partnership at Picton. He takes a keen interest in the social affairs of the town, and is a member of several clubs.