FIRE BRIGADE BANQUET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1891, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE BANQUET.

A GREAT SUCCESS.

A large assemblage congregated lasb evening in the Academy of Music, Lome-street, when a banquet was tendered by the City and Suburban Fire Brigades to the delegates attending the Conference of the United Fire Brigade Association of New Zealand. Tbe hall was tastefully decorated with flags and pot plants, while Hannken's Band discoursed sweet music. The whole cf the arrangements reflected credit upon the Committee of Management, which consisted of Superintendent J. Hughes, Senior Foreman Harley, Junior Foreman J. Clarke, Foremen H. Gladding, J. H. Wilkins, A. Brannigan, McDonald and Williams, Captains Cowan (Parnell), Wilson (Newmarket), J. Fenton (Newton), Clark (Eden TeTrace), Keys (Mount Eden), and C. Liotle, Hon. Secretary of the Auckland City Brigade. The catering was done in a manner thab reflected credit on the establishment of Mr W. D. Dallen, being amply provided and gaily decorated.

His Worship tho Mayor (Mr J. IT. Upton) presided, and was supported on the right by the Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General, and on the left by Lieutenant Smith, President of the United Fire Brigades' Association. Messrs Malcolm Niccol (Chairman of the Harbour Board), G, Kent (Mayor of Newmarket), and S. C. Brown (Mayor of Newton) officiated as vico-Chairmen. At the head of the table also sat Messrs F. Lawry, M.H.R., T. Thompson, M.H.R., Lieut,-Colonel Shepherd, Major Anderson, Mr W. Crowther, Mr S. H. Matthews, Captain Field of tho Auckland Salvage Corps, and Dr. Dawson.

The Mayor proposed the toasts of the Queen and Royal Family, and also His Excellency the Governor, both of which were duly honoured, the band playing the " National Anthem," Mr Upton next proposed the army, navy, and volunteers, and paid a tribute to these various branches of defence. He coupled the name of Colonel Shepherd with the toast, and referred to the admirable manner in which he had performed his duties in the past. He only regretted that there was any thought of ending his career here as head of the volunteers, and could only hope that the Government would reconsider their decision in that matter.

Colonel Shepherd rose to respond amidst prolonged applauso. Ho said he felt extremely the great honour thrust upon him. He could assure them that he was blushing after the kind remarks made by tho Mayor. He had the honour of serving in the army, and had worked alongside of firemen at Home. As he'Jooked upon the men in front of him ho could not holp thinking that he would like to recruit them all. He was proud to say that he saw around him many who had served and did serve under him in the volunteers. He felt most deeply the kind spirit manifested by all present. He would leave the command of this district with very great regret. lie would now publicly wish a sincere farewell to the volunteers present. Vice-President Superintendent Jull, of Waipawa, recited " The Curfew Shall Not Toll To-night," in excellent style. Mr Malcolm Niccol proposed "The Legislative Council and House of Representatives." H6 felt some diffidence seeing that tha Hon. Mr Ward was present. They knew thab the Hon. Mr Ward wa3 a strong opponent of the 'Frisco mail service, but recent utterances had shoitn that the service was not likely to bo endangered. He believed that the new Ministry wore destined to do good, judging by recontacts. Their retrenchment proposals bade fair to be more satisfactory than those that had preceded them. Thero was also a strong hope that this Government would do away with the obiecbionablo property tax. He would couple tho name of the lion. Mr Ward with the toast

The band played " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and the (oast was drunk amidst loud cheering. HON. MR WARD'S ADDRESS. Mr Ward said that after the remarks of the Vice-President he might have felt some hesitation had not they sung " For He's a Jolly Good Follow" so enthusiastically. Then he felt be could riso with some degree of confidonco to respond. When he heard the Vice-President say thab they of the South were able to score one over tho North he felt very proud, but his experience had always been that the members sent down from the North wanted very careful watching when any difficult nuts needed to be cracked or complex problems required solving. He could say with safety that there never before had been sent down from tho North such an indefatigable lot of members as those returned at the last election. They in the South could cot claim any superiority in that respect over the Northern representatives. (Applause.) Tbe good-natured allusion of the ViceChairman to the 'Frisco mail service gave him opportunity to put himsolf right with regard to that matter. In ever, perhaps, had greater injustice been done to anyone than had been to himself, with regard to his views expressed in the past upon this matter. Only thab day he had been interviewed by a representative of the press upon this matter, and his views would, no doubt, appear in due time, so he would not traversoit. When they read that statement ho felt sure they would acquit him of these charges so far as that particular service was concerned. Ik was quite possible for him to attempt to chop usoless limbs of a tree withoub injuring tho roots, and that was the course he had attempted to adopt in the past. What he had originally statod as a member of the House of Representatives was that he opposed large expenditure upon oceau mail services. Any one who would take the trouble to read the last debates of the House upon that subjecbwould see than he said that, under altered circumstances, the service would have his support. Since he had the honour to be a Minister, he had not gone back upon thab position. This diversion had been drawn from him by the remarks of the vice-chair-man. He felt sure that ib was not the desire of those present that he should enter at length upon political subjects ; still, he must say that the present Ministry had a most difficult task to perform. They were charged with duties and responsibilities such aa few Ministries in tbe past had had put upon them. In the past legislation had beon effected in a manner that was believed suited to tho circumstances of the colony. It had a trial, and the result had shown that the legislation had been found wanting, and the duty devolved upon the prosenb Ministry to remove some of tho legislation now upon tho statute books. Upon the abolition of the property tax he could tell them thab every member of the present Ministry was pledged to the repeal of the property tax ; if it was nob repealed they might depend upon it that no other Ministry could do it. Ib was the desiro of the Government to do it. He need hardly tell them bhat a change in the incidence of taxation necessitated that the Government that undertook such measures required the support of any man who had a stake in the country. It was, unfortunately, necessary that in such changes a certain amount of retrenchment should bo eflected, and when he heard the Chairman allude to the retirement from the volunteer service, of a gentleman on his right, he felt pain at the absolute necessity for such severance, but io must be borne in mind that there were men all ov< r the colony at the present time who, 1 ... 'bunately, had to face a similar fat . They would, therefore, see how difficult it was to effect these retrenchments. Nothing was more painful to him in hispresent responsible position than to know that some one must be removed from a position in which he had

energetically and worthily fulfilled his duties. During his short term of office ho had had to refuse many applications from persons or the friends of persons who were to be thus dispensed wibh. But the people demanded retrenchment, and it must be effected though it might cause pain to the Minister when performing whab he believed to be his duty. In the face of the demand for retrenchment he would ask those present to sympathise with the Ministry upon whom had devolved such a painful duty. He had recently had the pleasure of being in a city where they were assembled to discuss the queetion of federation for Australia, and thab reminded him of the delegates who had attended the presenb Fire Brigade Conference. If they would allow him to say it, ho believed there were few things that would so vastly contribute to good feeling throughout the colony as these conferences of representatives from various parts of New Zealand. He hoped that these competitions and conferences would continue, and that the Ministry might bo able to still further assist these gatherings. In conclusion, he wished the visiting delegates a safe journey home again. Mr F. Lawry also responded, and mentioned that in the present Ministry there were three members who had been born in the colony. It was gratifying to hear the Hon. Mr Ward so emphatically declare that his Government would stand or fall upon the repeal of the property tax. Mr T. Thompson also returned thanks. He also felt gratification upon hearing the utterances of the Postmaster-General regarding tho property tax. Sub-Superintendent George, of Hastings, next sang " Yes, Lob Mo Like a Soldier Fall."

The Vice-President next proposed " The Mayor and Councillors, Auckland, Parnell, Newmarket, and Newton, and tho Chairmen of Mount Edon and Edon Terrace Road Boards." This was responded to by the Mayors present. "United Fire Brigades' Association " was next proposed by tho Chairman, coupled with tho names of the delegates, and in doing so paid a tribute to the valour and unselfishness of firemen. He considered the Government grant of £250 was a small one, and would like to see it largor. Mr Upton coupled the name of Lieut. Smith with the toast.

Lieutenant Smith briclly responded and roturned thanks for the kindness recoived in tho city. Vico-President Jull and Captain Fookß also responded, after which Secretary Little road apologies for nonattendance from Lord Onslow, Inspector Broham, Mr H. B. Scaly (Mayor of Parnell), Mr Hugo Harrop (Chairman of the Insurance Companies' Association), and Superintendent West, of the Thames Firo Brigade.

The Hon. Mr Ward noxt sang " The Maid of the Mill " in fine style, and being enthusiastically oncored sang a comic song, entitlod " There's Bound to bo a Row," which caused great amusement. SubSuporintendent Abrahams also sang. Presidont Smith next moved, "The City and Suburban Fire Brigados," coupled with the name of Superintendent Hugho3. Captain Styles, of Invercargill, then sang "Marourneen," aftor which Superintendent Hughes and Captain Cowen responded. Lieutenant Adams, of Wellington, sang " What a Day we are Having." Superintendent Hughes next proposed "The Auckland Salvago Corps," coupled with the name of Captain Field. Tho mover paid high praise to tho Salvage Corps for past services.

Captain Field briefly returned thanks, after which Dr. Dawson gave a humorous recitation in the Dutch dialect.

Secretary Lindaman proposod, " The Citizens," and in doing co ox pressed the opinion that tho Central Fire Brigade Station would do with very considerable improvement. The Mayor responded, aftor which Engineer Anderson, of the Thames, sang a comic so_g, and Foreman Knight followed with "The Hungry Army." Secretary Ridgewaito proposed the toast of the ladies, the band playing "Here's a Health to all Goo.i Lassos." Vico-Presi-dent Jull responded. Secretary Ainsworth nexb proposed the toast of the press, the band playing " Beautiful Evening Star." This was responded to by the representatives present. The remainder of the evening was spent in a convivial manner.