Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 6486, 3 February 1905, Page 2

Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Annual Dinner.

The aunual dinner m connection with the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the station last evening, there being about eighty present, including a number of ladies. The chair was occupied by His Worship tha, Mayor (Mr H. Davis), who was supported by Captain Barber, Messrs J. MoLachlan M.H.R., Bcrough Councillors J. W. Timminp, S. Clark, J. Wallace, the Town Clerk (Mr H. Fooks) and Liouts. G. Hefford, Percy and W. Tucker. Oce feature of the gathering was the large number of veteran firemen present and among these were Ex-Lieuts. J: Miles and T. Hayes, and Firemen A. Andrews, H. A. Gates, and C. Chapman. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs C. J. Harper, J. M. Cambridge, Thomas, E. Burroughs, Cr Davison, Dr Boyd, and Capts. Schwartz and Fooks. The Rtation room was nicely decorated for the occasion with bunting and evergreens, while the cups and other prizes won by the Brigade assisted to make an attractive display. The catering was m the hands of Mr C. Beech, who provided an excellent dinner to which ample justice was done. The loyal toast having been disposed of, Or Clark proposed " Tbe Army, Navy, and Volunteers." In doing so he did not claim to know a great deal about either the Navy or the Army, but what he had learned of the movements of the protectors of the Empire had invariably commanded his admiration. During the war m South Africa the colonies had shown that they were prepared to stand by the Mother Country at all times ; while the recent " Dogger Bank " incident proved that England was ready for any emergency. The tonst was drunk heartily; and Lieuts. Hefford, Percy, and W. Tucker responded m suitable terms, all of them recognising the value of the Fire Brigade's services to the community. In a few well-chosen remarks the Mayor proposed the toast of " The Legislative Council and the House of Representatives," coupling therewith the name of Mr John MoLachlan, M.H.R'. He was afraid that he could not do full justice to such an important toast, but any shortcomings m this respect on his part would be, no doubt, met by the worthy representative of,the county, who always had something original to say of the doings at Wellington. If the Legislative Council was lax m its working, the the Lower House was especially active. Mr McLachlan had always been alert m watching the interests of the people of Ashburton, and during the time he had represented the electorate, he (Mr McLachlan) had been instrumental m inducing the Government to place on the Statutes a number of important measures m the interest of the electors of ABhburton. The toast-was enthusiastically honoured. In replying, Mr McLachlan said he could not claim without being egotistic that the whole of the laws placed on the Statute Book were good. While the Mayor had so effusively lauded him, a suggestion had occasionally been thrown out that the Members of the Houses of Representatives played cards and generally enjoyed themselves at the expense of the people. This was not the case, and he could assure one and all that the work m Wellington was arduous. He was'not a great card player, neither did he claim to be a great legislator, but speaking figuratively he always had a shuffle with the rest m the parliamentary pack of cards. Those who had been resident m Ashburton for a number of years would call to mind the great heart burnings that had arisen over the Borough channel water supply, and he desired to identify himself with the Aahburton Fire Brigade m intimating that he had been instrumental m having a measure passed that conserved the interests of the ratepayers of the Borough for air time as regards a water supply. He referred to the " Water Supply Bill." Mr McLachlan then referred to the good opinions the people of the colony had of the Ashburton Domain, and assured those present that he had always done his utmost m advertising Ashburton's beauty spot, even m the precincts of the House. The Scenery Preservation Commission had been set up to conserve native reserves for the future enjoyment of the people of the colony, and it was only recently that he had urged that the Commission should visit Aibburton with a view to taking evidence. The Commission would shortly visit the county, and he believed that a certain portion ot" native reserve would be . acquired and preserved. During last session the Harbour Board Representation Bill was brought before the House, and he had been mainly instrumental m getting a clause inserted with a view to giving counties representation on Harbour Boards. He could assure them that at all times he was ever alert to safeguard the best interests ofi his constituents, no matter whether they were supporters or otherwise. (Aplause). Captain Barber, m a few appropriate remarks, proposed " The Borough Council," and m doing so referred to the good feeling that existed between that body and the Fire Brigade. He coupled with the toast the name 3of His Worship the Mayor and the representatives of the Council present. The Mayor returned thanks for the hearty manner m which the toast had been drunk. The Council had always done its best for the Brigade, and if the subsidy had not been considered large enough, well, he could assure those present that the Council's desire was to keep down che rates. Objeotion had been taken to a 2s rate, and if the Council acceded to every request of the ratepayers for channelling, concreting, etc., he could assure them that a 10s rate would not meet tbe expenses; Since the advent of Norlicense, the Borough had lost MSO m revenue by way of licenses and rates; but despite this fact, the overdraft had been materially reduced, He had no hopes that a Is rate would be again reverted to, but it waa his desire to urge a reduction—say to Is 6d. (Applause.) Cr Timmins referred to the action of the Borough Council m urging the Preservation of Scenery Commission to preserve a reserve at Peel forest for the people of Ashbucton, The Council, while endeavouring to keep down the rates, should look t:> the future of the Borough, and money could very well be expended to meet the demands of the future. He was exceedingly pleased to think that the burgesses of Ashburton had confidence iv their representatives on the Borough Council. Cr Clark considered that Fire Brigades had been harshly treated by the Insurance Companies, and he hoped that some measure would be introduced compelling Insurance Companies to compensate Fire Brigades m the future. Councillor Wallace proposed the toast of " The Fire Brigade," and . referred to the good work thai) excellent body had done m the past. Ho regretted that Lieut, Dorm had decided to resign and hoped that pressure would be brought to bear to induce him to reconsider his decision. The Brigade could ill afford to lose the services of a man having such excellent qualifications. T-he toast was drunk with musical honours, and Capt. Barber responded, He was pleased to intimate that Lieut. Dorm had decided to remain m the Brigade.—(Applause). Lieut. H. Baker and Foreman C. Beech also a poke. His Worship at this junpfcion made the following presentations.—Fireman J, Stribling, three years' certificate; Fireman J. Stephens, three yeara' long service medal ; Branchm'an Catp?, five years' service medal; Firemtu Dorm, two years' service bar; Branchman W. Kidd, two years' service bar ; Fireman J. Hefford, long service medal; Fireman Etribling, five years' service medal; Capt. Barber, gold medal donated by ex-Fireman Parkin for coupling competition at the recent picnic. Mr E. J. Paul proposed— ". The Veteran Firemen" m suitable terras, and exFireman Hayes, J. Miles, C. Chapman, and H. A. Gates responded. Other toasts proposed were ." The Ladies," " The Press," and "The Chairman." The singing of the National Anthem brought the, proceedings to a close. During the evening songs were sung by Messrs Josßop, Timmins, Hillgrove, Miles, Dolman, and others, Mr H. A. Gates playing the accompaniments. A dance was held afterwards m the Bri- | gade meeting room, and altogether the funotiojj was a great success. •