DUNEDIN CITY FIRE BRIGADE

Evening Star, Issue 16987, 8 March 1919, Page 10

DUNEDIN CITY FIRE BRIGADE

DEMONSTRATION AND fHSTVEILIXG CEREMONY. Fire-fighters from all parts of the Dominion, together with a large section of the public, were in attendance at the Central Fire Station from an early hour last evening. The occasion was a demonstration by the members of the City Brigade, an unveiling ceremony, and a social in honor of the visiting«!iremen, who were returning to their homes after attending the annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand at Invercargill. The sti-Hon was a very busy place for several hours The bright red and yellow of the fire-fighting machines, tho highly-polished furnishings of the station itself, and the varied colors of the uniforms of the visiting firemen as they moved about under the dazzling beams of the electric lamps, made a scene of striking effe.ctivene-*. Sli irfly before 8 o'clock a crowd had con ere grt ted in Cumberland street in the vicinity of the station, and great interest u.ts manifested in the promised demonstration. The, alarms was given, and within two or three seconds the first- motor emerged from the station, fully manned and equipped. Tt was closely followed by others, until the whole six machines were racing through the street. The machines did not proceed far. and the men then gave, a most interesting demonstration with the electric extension ladder, and also other work of a fire-fighting nature. When the machines returned to the sta tion the local firemen obligingly took groups of interested spectators round the premises, and explained the working of the various appliances used in a modern fire-fighting plant. The Ma-or of the Citv fMr J. J. Clark) then unveiled a memorial tablet to Foreman 1! B iv-or, v. ho was killed in Mriv, 1918. through a machine capsizing while the brigade were- proceeding to what was proved to he a false alarm. As the tabletwas unveiled a quartet from the Orphans' Club sang the hymn 'Rock of Ages* with impressive effect, and amidst a silence which was the best possible testimony that could be given to the deceased. Tho roll of honor board, containing the names of all those members of the Dunedin city and suburban brigades who have given their lives for their country, and who have served in the great war, was next unveiled by Mr T. Chahner, chairman of the Dunedin Fire Board. The unveiling was followed by another hymn sung by the male quartet-. The evening was concluded with asmoke concert, tendered by the city and suburban brigades to the delegates. The social was" held in the drill hall at the rear of the station. The hall was beautifully decorated with foliage arranged round the walls and on the stage, and hung across the floor p-paco, and a, profusion of colored lights made tho scene softly beautiful. Over 200 delegates, local firemen, and citizens enjoyed themselves in the time-honored way of the smokeconcert- and it was a satisfied crowd that sang ' Ood Have the King''at. the end of the evening. The following toasts were honored : " T?e Kins," proposed by the chairman /Superintendent Napier) :' " Army and Nuvv " Mr f-tn,tham, M.P., Captain Canton,"and Dr Harrison: "Soldier Brethren at the Front," Caotain Hean, Captain Lucas: "United Fire Brigades' Association." Mr B. C. Bobbins. President Keith; " Citv- Brigade," Secretary Watt-, U.F.8.A., Superintendent "Napier. A well-arranged musical programme was contributed bv the following:—-Messrs Cameron, S. Angell, J. Leech. J. M'Connell, Debbie. 0. C, Scott. 8. Gilchrist, R. Bryant, J. Tlaggitt. and Bauchnp (songs), Commercial Travellers (nuartet), McCarthy (recitation), Fireman W. Johnson (concertina selection), and Mr Davie (orchestral selection).