FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9860, 9 March 1896, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION.

The proceedings in connection with the Fire Brigade Demonstration and holding the meeting of the Couference of the United Fire Brigades of New Zealand, events which take plaoe during the present wank, were initiated yesterday. As will be seen by the reports given below, the two items arranged by the Entertainment Committee, viz., church parade and tramway excursion, were both successfully carried out. Some 300 men took part in these, and there was not a hitch of any kind.

THE CHURCH PARA.DE.

The local Brigades and those of the visiting Fire Brigades who had arrived, and take part in the proceedings during the week in connection with the Fire Brigades' Demonstration, attended Divine service yesterday morning at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, where the Rev. Dr. Eimslie preached. The firemen, members of the Executive, exfiremen and members of the General Coinmittes, numbered nearly 240, and the four bands over 100, making close on 350 persons who composed the procession. This was made up in the following order:— Eugiueers' Band, Dunedin City Brigade, South Dunediu, Hastings, Geraldiue, Temuka, Gisborne, Gore, Greytown, New Plymouth. Hawera, Hokitika, luvercargill Municipal and Railway, Kaiapoi, Sydenham Baud, Nelson Brigade, Blenheim, Masterton, Paruell, Napier, Greymouth, Wellington, Spit, Oamaru, Port Chalmers, Waim*te, Queenstcwn, Woodville, Thames, W. Gore, Garrison Band, Lyttoltou Brigade, Sunnyside, Sumner, Christchurch Railway, Christchuroh City, ex-firemen, members of Committee, Executive of the Association, and the Stanmore Band. The procession marched via Colombo, High, and Madras streets to the chutch, and returned in reverse order by the same route to tho Chester street station, where it broke up.

At the Baptist Church yesterday morning the Rev. J. J. Dake, preaching from tho words, " Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire," Zech., Hi., 2, referred to the arrival of the Fire Brigades in our city. He said that this event naturally reminded them of the peril which not unfrequently accompanied attempts to save. Again and again the fearless h> roiam and stern devotion to duty that had glorified the thrilling annals of these associations had been exercised at the cost of life itself. Battling with the flames, struggling upward through the blinding smoke, poised on the tottering frame of a burning house, daring an awful death to save—if only the life of a little child, —the heroes of the Fire Brigades, together with their comrades of the life-boat, stole the glory from the medal of the soldier, and times and agaiu brought into these low, mercenary days gleams of the nobleness of self-sacrifice.

THE TRAMWAY EXCURSION,

In response to' the request of the Entertainment Committee, the New Brighton and Chrisichtirch Tramway Companies very generously placed three cars each at cheir disposal iree of charge for the purpose of the conveyance of the visitors to Snmner and New Brighton. The Garrison Band accompanied the Sumner contingent, and the Stanmore that proceeding to New Brighton. A start was made shortly after two o'clock, those going to Sumner being largely in the majority, there being no less than four cars packed. Messis Hart (Chairmau), Woods and Sorensen, members of the Entertainment Committee, were in charge of the arrangements ; Mr Superintendent Smith having to remain in town to receive some of the visiting Brigades. The Sumner Brigade, under Captain Philips, with an amount, of hospitality which did them the utmost credit, provided tea for over 300 in the Town Hall, and the members of the Brigade worked like Trojans to supply the wants of their guests. The Garrison Baud, under Sergeant D-rry, played a number of selections most admirably during the afternoon, and also played en route. Mr Wood, the manager of the Christchurch Tram Company, was most attentive and courteous, co-operating very zealously with the members of the Committee to make the outing enjoyable. The weather was beautiful, and a most pleasant afternoon'was spent'/ Priot to leaving foir home, Captain Stewart, of Invercargill, on behalf or the Fire Brigade Association, tendered the thanks of the Association to the Sumner Fire Brigade for their hos pitality, which w»b acknowledged by Captain Philips. Those who went to New Brighton had a very enjoyable time. Mr Capper, one of the Entertainment Committee, proceeded with the train, and the Stanmore Band played a number of selections very well. Mr Thompson did everything in his power to make the trip a success.

TO-DAY'S EVENfS.

The conference will commence its sitting ia the rooms of the Caledonian Society at 10 a.m. to-day. In the evening the visiting firemen will be the guests ot the Christchurch Working Men's Club at a smoke concert, to be held in the hall of the Club. His Worship the Mayor and Qt. C. M. Gray, Chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee of the City Council, have been invited to welcome the members of the conr ference to the city, and will attend the first meeting this morning. The members of the, Ashburton Fire Brigade who will take part in the annual demonstration and competitions are Messrs T. Barber, R. Dorm, J. Doan, W. Kidd, and B. JBurroivj. Mr R. Simpson, the Ashburton delegate appointed to attend the Conference, came to town on Saturday evening.