Laindon Poem - 1931 Laindon Recorder

Browsing through old copies of the Laindon recorder I came across this amusing poem:-
A LA HIAWATHA
(With apologise to Longfellow)

There’s a Parish down in Essex
That was drowsily contented
With its dirty little High Road,
With its dingy, murky High Road,
With its lack of proper lighting,
With its lack of Fire Appliance,
But the time came to awaken,
Shake the sleepy Council members,
Put some fire into the embers,
Or displace the deadened ashes
With some new coal full of gases.
Thus the villages with relish
**********
Then a fire was lit in Essex,
That will brighter glow and brighter,
Till is gone the dire disorder,
Till the Parish is in order.
And the villages all proudly
Will its praises sing all loudly,
Till all England give attention,
Worthy part of worthy nation

M.L.J.

Two questions.  Who was M.L.J. and is the fire still glowing brightly or has it gone out, I will leave you to comment!