FIRE BRIGADE COMPETITION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5329, 13 March 1879, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE COMPETITION.

g IBj — From an advertisement which appears in ymu' columns I perceive that the Spit Fire Brigade are not quite satisfied at the result of the late competition. I must confess that I am not surprised that such is the case. Such a fine body of stalwart men, possessed with muscular frames and an excellent opinion of themselves, who left their station in the firm belief that they were on the high road to fame, to meet with such a crushing defeat at the hands of the " small fry," must be very annoying, not only to themselves, but to those who regarded them as perfection itself. The cry at the Spit now is, "Who would have thought it V 7 Commotions are everywhere visible. Their affectionate admirers, who met in large numbers in the evening to do honor to them and their trophies, on finding that neither "Cups" or "medal" were forthcoming, refuse now to show them the light of their countenance, and some are so hard» hearted as to say that they are no good. Consequently the Spit is everything to those gallants but a paradise since the day of the competition. I think, sir, and most will agree with me in saying, that the Spit Fire Brigade are" " more to be pitied than laughed at " under the circumstances. They are only as yet a young brigade, and I have little doubt that with proper training they will yet do good service. I quite admire their true British spirit in not knowing when they are beaten, but sincerely regret that their actions should not correspond. I am sure I am only speaking the sentiments of the public who witnessed the competition, 'when I say that the timekeepers and judges acted honestly and impartially, and the fact of their trying to make it otherwise, tends more to their discredit, than the defeat they have sustained at the hands of their rivals. I would therefore suggest that they attend to their practice, and, if possible, throw more skill and activity into thei/ 1 movements, so that at the next competit/on they may be able to recover some (,'f their lost laurels.— l am, &c. Hose Keel. Nnmer, March 12, 1870.