The Daily Telegraph SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1882.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3528, 28 October 1882, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1882.

Although " other engagements " will prevent the Spit Fire Brigade from entering iDto competition matches on the visit of the delegates of the Association, it does not follow as a necessary consequence that there shall be no matches at all on that occasion. The delegates meet here about the middle of January. It is expected that there will be two representatives of every brigade belonging to the Association sent here, so that a good muster of firemen may be anticipated. If sufficient inducement could be offered in the shape of liberal money prizes, it is more than probable that very many of the brigades would send a " team" here. A team, we believe, consists of four men. JSTow, smart as our local brigades undoubtedly are, they are not so emart but what they can learn " something to their advantage " by witnessing the practice of other?. In a wooden town like this it is to the advantage or residents that nothing should be wanting to render our fire brigades and their equipment as efficient as it is possible to make them. It is an old saying, the truth of which cannot be denied, that "practice makes perfect," and as no one can wish for causes that would perfect our brigades in practice, it is only by competition matches that smart practice can be attained. We think, therefore, that it would be money well spent in offering prizes for matches to be held during the visit of the delegates. These matches could be held in the Recreation Company's ground, and as they would be open to all comers our local brigadea might take part in them or not, as it best suited their own convenience. Our own opinion is that they would make it convenient to compete. If the public are with us in this matter a small committee should be self-appointed to canvass for subscriptions and draw up a programme. No time should be lost, as ample opportunity should be allowed our coming visitors to train for the matches. We fed assured that every assistance will be afforded by our local brigades to make the competition matches

a success, even though they may not be able to take part in them.