BRIGADES' SUNDAY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17431, 17 April 1922, Page 3

BRIGADES' SUNDAY.

FIREMEN'S CHURCH PARADE The Church parade- in connexion withT the annual meeting of the Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigades' Association and the fire brigades' demonstration to be held to-day, took place yesterday at St. Michael's Church. Close upon two hundred city, suburban, and visiting firemen took part and the St. Michael's Troop of Boy Scouts also participated. The parade assembled at the City Fire Station at' 10.15 a.m. and was marshalled bv Senior Fireman G. Barnes (Christchurch City Brigade). Derry's Band, under Bandmaster Derry, headed the parade. Next in order came the members of the executive of the Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigades' Association (Superintendent Tyler, Random, president), members of the Christ.hui-ch Fire Board (Messrs A. Williams, chairman, H. Holland, P. H. Harris, and F. Burgoyrie), and representative of the City Council (Cr. H. Hunter), the visiting firemen, a squad frqm the City J?ire Brigade (buperirftendent C. C. Warner), exfiremen, members of the demonstration committee, and the St. Michael's troop of Bey Scouts (Scoutmaster H. Froggatt). The fire brigades represented in the parade were: Akaroa, Ashburton, Addmgton Railway, Christchurch City, Christchurch Railway, J>yttelton, New Rangibra, Sumner, and Temuka. The route taken was Lielifiald street to High street, Cashel street and Oxford _ terrace. Appropriate marching music was played by the band en route.

The vicar of St. Michael's, Rev. C. E. Perry, in the course of his sermon, which was based on the words in the epistle for the clay: "Christ,who is our Life." (Oolossians 3-5), spoke of the appreciation of the value of human life as one of the outstanding features of Christianity. The time was approaching when all soldiers would be obsolete; Christianity was working in that direction. Disarmament for ten years had been decided upon; there would be disarmament for ever; perhaps not in their time, but it would coiiy. Firemen fought the flames and in doing so protected and saved human life. People slept in their beds at night with the greatest security because of the firemen; when they heard the fire engines moving along the street they rejoiced in the knowledge that there was someone to look after .those whose lives might be in danger. He desired to express the gratitude of the community to the firemen for their Services—services that any of the publio might require at.any time. Upon this, perhaps the greatest service of the Christian year, they welcomed them and rejoiced that the firemen were worshipping with them. After the service the parade reformed and marched back to the City Fire Station where the parade' . was dismissed.

MOTOR RUN TO SUMNER. The members of the.Rangiora, NewBrighton, and Lytteltom.Brigades, were the guests of the Demonstration Committee at luncheon at Freeman's cafe after the parade. About twenty motor care, amongst them being a goodly sprinkling of cars of the members of the Canterbury Automobile Association, conveyed the visiting firemen to Sumner in tho afternoon. The weather conditions were perfect and about "one hundred firemen and their friends took part in tho run which proved a most enjoyable outing. On reaching Redcliffs the Sumner Fire Brigade's motor engine, from which a big Union' Jack fluttered/ took' the lead. Sumner was reached about 3 o'clock. The-visitors were-the guests of the Sumner Brigade at afternoon tea at Buchanani's rooms. They were welcomed by the Mayor of Sumner (the Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C.) and Superintendent J. Carter, of the Sumner Brigade. The president of the Canterbury Provincial ■ Fire Brigades' Association (Superintendent Tyler, Ran.giora) responded to the welcome on behalf of the visitors. : A section of. the visitors were_ also-enter-tained at the ' Sumner Fire Brigade station where Superintendent Carter welcomed them aud expressed his pleasure that there was so large a turnout to visit Sumner where the initial steps in the formation of the Association were taken. Superintendent Sherwood (New Brighton) suitably responded on behalf of the visitors. Rousing cheers were given for Superintendent Carter and.the Sumner Fire Brigade. . • . After the visitors had looked round, a start was made for town about 4.30 p.m. The ringing of the fire bell (which at one time was part of : the equipment of one of .the c'ty stations) caused considerable commotion in the borough until the-object of, "the malicious false alarm" was known. The citv fire station was reached about 5 o'clock after a pleasant afternoon's outing.