FIRE BRIGADE'S ANNIVERSARY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1895, 19 August 1874, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE'S ANNIVERSARY.

Thb Grahamstown and Shortland Fire Brigades united yesterday ia a demonsfcratiou in celebration of their second anniversary, and both companies mustered in lull force afc their sliods, and under their respective olficevs. The (■' rahamstown (?ire Brigade turned out fully equipped and iu uniform with the two fire engiucs and the hose-waggon, the meu mounted in tho latter. A brass band, seated iu a 'bus, headed tho procession, which then started for Shortland, tho band playing lively selections. On reaching tho quarters of tho Shortland Fire .Brigade, tho latter, fully equipped and dressed in their red uniform and black felt helmets, gave three cheers and then, with their hose-reel and cart, fell into the order of procossion. The united brigades then marched through tho priacipul streets of the Borough, and concluded with a grand practice at the corner of Albert and Brown-strcots. The brigades showed great proficiency, and the hose-reel of the tihortland Brigade was proved to be an exceedingly useful apparatus,'affording, as it does, such facilities for rapidly paying oat tho hose when required and for taking it in and removing it when it is no longer necessary. The physique and appearance of both brigades were extremely creditable We omitted to mention that there was a good display of bunting, and the engiuo-sheds of both brigades were similarly decorated. During tho practice the band continued to play, and afc its conclusion headed the brigades to their quarters. Hero the men were dismissed to allow them to prepare for tho banquet which was to terminate the celebration,

THE BANQUET Was served up in the dining room of the PuciGc llatel in tfostOurtis's woll-known stylo, and justice was done to the viands by. the firemen and other visitors. There was a large muster of the Skortlapd bri< gades, bqt in consequence of a dolicacy W tlw psi'ti of some of the meiabQra of

the Grahamstown brigade to appear without their uniforms, there were several absent, although on the whole the attendance was good. Amongst the guests present were Councillors Kenshaw and Ehrenfried, Messrs Price, Williams, and Alexander. The chair was occupied by Mr Superintendent Young, of the Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the vice chair by Mr Superintendent Bull, of the Shortland brigade. Ihe cloth having been removed, the Chairman said he regretted to have received a letter from his Worship the Mayor stating that owing to the state of his health he was unable to be present. He was sure they would all regret this. The Chairman then proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toast which were heartily received. The list of toasti was interspersed with songs. The Chairman proposed the toast of "Tho Army, Navy and Volunteers."—Captain ,T. B. Mac-' donaldresponded. He said so far as the Kille Volunteers were concerned, although their services were less likely to be required than those of the Volunteers he saw around him, they were an important body, and it was possible that their presencemight ronderit unnecessary to call on their services. (Cheers.) Mr Itcn?haw said he was there as an invited guest, and although he did not approve of public dinners and their after proceedings, he '! 3 " e OU Kht to do violence to his own feelings rather than theirs, lie was now for the first time the proposer of a toast. But he supposed a toast was merely a handle on which to hang a speech. Men who wished the work done were the materials to gpt it , done, and a Volunteer Fire origado he looked upon as more likely to do good duty thaa a mire force paid lor their work. Fire and water were very good servants, and it was quite right to make uso of water to prevent fire from obtaining the mastery. As soon as lie got elected to the Council he endeavoured o get material for the fire brigades, and he with others were cordially supported by the other members. Ho was one of those who begged recently, and as the result oI his begging expedition, he came to the conclusion that if he could get it as a matter of right he would do so. The public had good reason to be proud of the Volunteer Fire Brigades. It was not a very agreeable duty. It mU3t .be a feeling of duty which actuated them, so that by getting to work under suitable direction they might be able to combat a firo when it did occur. He was glad to see so many here to-night. It was the duty of all to appreciate the services of the Brigades. There was one man present who had been the means of saving a life. That was something to'work for. And he believed that any one of them would do the same if the opportunity offered. Having that opinion of them he was glad to see them to-night. He hoped it would be long before they needed their services in any other way than plug practices, and when they did he hoped such a blot would not be thrown upon their place as there was when the Auckland post-office was burnt down with men standing by who might have saved it. He quite believed such a thing could not have occurred here.-—Mr MucJonald responded. He returned thinks for the manner in which the toast had been proposed. He referred to a begging expedition in which Mr llenshaw was not favourably received, tie (Mr Maodonald) had also been on a begging expedition. They (the Shortland Brigade) barely existed at the time, and ho could assure them that his experience was much more fortunate than Mr Henshaw's, for with one exception, the moment it became known what they sought the hand of friendship came to the front, and the cold shoulder was withdrawn. That was his experience. It only showed there was no doubt the fire brigades enjoyed the public recognition and public assistance. Since then the wisdom of the public had been centred in the Mayor and Corporation, and when be had expressed his obligation to them he would ask the meeting to join in a toast of the health of the " Mayor and Corporation." (Cheers,) It was a body of recent existence. Appealing to those representatives, knowing what they wanted, and wanting what was reasonable, they were assurod they might have it. He spoke as a member of a committee who had conferred with the Council. They stated what they wanted and got all they asked. It was not for him to criticise the Corporation a3 a body or individually it would take too long. He could only repeat that as fire Brigades they had stated what they wanted, and got what they asked, and it behoved them in a hearty manner to appreciate the manner in which they had been received. The toast was drunk with cheers.-Mr Ehrenfried responded. He alluded to the short time the Council was in existence. The feeling of the Council towards the Brigades was favourable, and so far as they could in providing materials, they would do so. They had purchased a horse, which would be at the service of the Brigades, and a hose reel was to be got, and if they required anything and stated it in a fair way they would do their best to get it for them. (Oheors.) Mr Ehrenfried proposed the toast of " Our Trade and Commerce." Commerce hero for the last two years had been rathor in the shade, but having come through those dull times, shotved that they were stable, that there was some stability in them. A good future was in store for them. The flat was turning out well, and a road to Tauranga was spoken of. They had good prospects in the future, and were in a fair way to success. The upper country was now nearer to being opened than ever it was before.—Fireman Hartley, of the Shortland Brigade, proposed the health of their late captain, Mr Alston. He said it should not be with them "out of sight out of mind." The toast was drunk with musical honors.—Capt. Macdonald responded to the toast of Captain Alston's health. He had a double duty to fulfil. He now filled Captain Alston's place, and Captain Alston was a friond of his own. He could only regret that the office was not now so adequately filled, On the last occasion, when Captain Alston appeared on active service, he was an example to them all. Ho thanked them for the manner in which they had so kindly remembered him, and ho was sure Captain Alston would not forget the old uniform. (Cheers.)— The toasts of the "Ladies" and the "Press" followed. This concluded the programme, but several other toasts were drunk, and songs sung boforo the meeting separated.