AUCKLAND FIRE BRIGADE.

Auckland Star, Issue 210, 3 September 1894, Page 2

AUCKLAND FIRE BRIGADE.

VISIT OF THAMES FIREMEN

A lakpe contingent of the Thames Fire Brigade paid Auckland a visit on Saturday, io order to play a friendly football match with a team of "reps." from the Auckland Fire Brigade. In "spite of the very bad weather, the match took place at Potter's Paddock, the visitors beating the Auckland men by three points to nil. In the evening the Auckland Fire Brigade held a banquet in the United Service Hotel, the dinner being tendered as a compliment to the Thames visitors. Above 80 men were present, the guests including His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. J. Holland), the Town Clerk (Mr P. A. Philips), Inspector Hickson, Dr. Dawaon, Mr Anderson (City Engineer), and the captains of the Parnell, Newton, Newmarket, Mount Eden and Eden Terrace Fire Brigades. Sapt. Hughes and Capt. Field, of the Salvage Corps, were also present. An excellent dinner was served by Host G. B. Martin, and very satisfactory arrangements were made for the occasion by Mr C. Little, the Secretary to the Fire Brigade. The Vice-Chairmen at the dinner were Capts. Field, Patterson and Walsh, the two latter gentlemen being in charge of the Thames Brigade. The Mayor proposed the toast of the ♦• Thames Fire Brigade and Football Team." He congratulated the footballers on their victory. Captain Patterson responded for the Thames Brigade. The toast of " The Auckland Fire Brigade " was duly honoured, as was also that of "The Suburban Fire Brigades." Mr Fenton (captain of the Newton contingent) spoke in eulogistic terms of Superintendent Hughes' qualities as a lire, brigade superintendent.

The Mayor then said he had a pleasing duty to perform. They knew that Dr F. W. C. Dawson had been honorary surgeon to the Auckland Fire Brigade for the past nineteen years, ao.d his duties had been by no means light. He was also the prime mover in Auckland in connection with the St. John Ambulance Association. Tbe Doctor was always ready when his servicea were needeci, and those who had been attended to by him could testify as to his uniform kindness and attention. He had much gratification in presenting the Doctor with a United Fire Brigades' longservice silver medal, and seven two years' evtra service bars, in acknowledgment of his past services. . Dr. Dawson was also pre3euted with a handsome framed certificate from the united Fire Brigades testifying to hie having joined the Brigade aa honorary surgeon in 1875, and to his continuous services ever since.

In returning thanks for the presentation Dr. Daweon said his services bo the Brigade had always been given willingly and readily. Other toasts were dnly honoured.

During th 9 .evening long service medals were presented to Firemen VV. Colgan, W. Hafkiris, and P. Moulding', and seven years' service bars to Firemen Towneend, Copieston, Pritchard »nd Stauoton.