The Fire Brigade.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 79, 13 December 1887, Page 2

The Fire Brigade.

SUPT. TOWNLEY IN REPLY,

[To THU Eeiiob." Sib,—The letter from a correspondent in your last issue, as to whether Fire Brigade competitions are a benefit or not, I shall leave open for future remarks and other opinions, as it is, no doubt a large question, I now only intend to remind your correspondent oi one or two fads which he seems to have overlooked with reference to Napier. I think that he is rather wide of the mark in stating that in Napier the practice of competitions is condemned. Only two years since the citizens of Napier subscribed over £lOOO for prize-money and carried out the most liberal and interesting Fire Brigade competition which has been held in New Zealand. At the banquet closing the Napier competition the visiting teams of Australia stated in their remarks that at the competitions in Australia there were more Brigades competing but, for value of prizes and interest taken in the competitions by the settlers, the Napier competition was the most successful that they had ever attended and reflected great credit on all those connected with it. With regard to a meeting of the Napier Brigade for the purpose of deciding who should form the team for the competition to be held in Christchurch, I saw by the report that there was a little opposition by some disappointed one, ni: doubt, but mark the result, a number go into practice to decide the best men and £5O is voted for tha expenses of the team. Not a very decided opposition. The Government also uphold these competitions by voting each year £250 for the travelling expenses of the different teams. I think competitions have a good effect on Brigades, all tending to make men cool and smart in the work, and the practice gone through for the competition makes the men move together, each man knowing what to do and how to do it in the shortest possible time, all knowing that the win depends on the slowest man; hence the practice making all men smart, each trying to get through the work quickest. I think we shall drift into a bad state if we make it a rule that a volunteer fireman is to be a fixture to the station. Ona great object in a few men binding themselves together for this purpose is to keep the plant in good order, ready at any moment, and this I take is a good thing and requires a good deal ot time and labour. Competitions are now held in England very frequently. If your correspondent would read the Fireman’s newspaper he would there see accounts of the various competitions held. It is possible your correspondent may have more to say on so important a matter, if so, kindly remind him to give us just one word more than the letter itself, and that—his name.—l am, &0., J. Townley.