ELTHAM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 70454, 3 October 1900, Page 2

ELTHAM.

(FBOM OUR OWN OOBBBSPONDIira.)

A well-attended meeting of those willing to form t, rifle corps was held in the Town Hall last (Tuesday) night Mr Pring in the chair. Upwards of 60 handed in their names to Mr Maokie hon. secretary, who will forward the list to Wellington for acceptance. A start is to bo made next week toasphalt the footpaths.

liberal, and the speaker hoped he would long live to continue in the same way.

Mr Cooper said he had great admiration for fire brigades, and as long as he had anything in his pocket he would support the brigade. He paid a high compliment to the canvassers, who had done their work well. Mr {founders was a gentleman for whom he had great respect and he was really sorry he was leaving the district. He was a good fireman and citizen, and as a token of remembrance he (Mr Cooper) proposed giving gold medals, suitably engraved, for competition, to be won two years in succession. Mr Hooker said what little he had dono for the brigade had been done because he had great admiration for the brigade.* He purposed continuing to give trophies to the brigade, to be allocated as the members thought fit. Firemen ran great risks; they took their lives into their own hands, and he hoped the time was not far distant when they would receive payment for their services. Song, Mr Dowling ; recitation, Fireman Foy. The chairman proposed the toast of the evening, "Our Guest." With Lieut. Saunders' departure the brigade was losing one of its mainstays. The lieutenant and himself had worked together for some years. When he (the speaker) first met Lieut. Saunders the latter was a member of one of the best brigades in the colony — Wanganui — and after coming to Hawera he once more became a member of one of the best brigades in the colony. It was in a degree due to their guest's efforts that the brigade had gone in for competitions and attained its present good position. As one of the team, Lieut. Saunders was invaluable. He hoped wherever Lieut. Saunders went he would have success, and that he would continue to be in touch with the brigade by always letting them know of his whereabouts. He hoped the toast would be drunk in bumpers, and that they would wish Lieut. Saunders every success. The captain then presented the lieutenant with a gold albert and pendant, the latter suitably engraved. He hoped Lieut. Saunders would make a fortune, and return to spend it in Hawera. He also presented to Mrs Saunderi (through Mr Saunders) a greenstone and gold brooch. . The toast was drtink with enthusiasm. Song, Mr J. P. Keen. Mr B. C. Eobbins (secretary of the brigade) added a few words to what had been said by the captain in regard to Lieut. Saunders. They must all regret the projected departure of Lieut. Saunders, who had been associated for so long with the Hawera Brigade. Coming from a crack brigade, Lieut.-Saunders had helped to make the Hawera brigade so efficient. The success of the brigade in the colonial competitions wasjwell-known] and very, gratifying. As firemen, they could have nothing but praise for their departing comrade. A fireman needed bravery and many other qualities, and the best thing that could be said of Lieut. Saunders was that he was a good fireman. The speaker alluded in nattering terms to the liberality of Mr Cooper, who purposed, by giving medals, to keep the name of " Saunders " green for at least two years. As a fireman, he (the speaker) was very sorry thut Lieut. Saunder3 was going; as a citizen the lieutenant had been upright and honest, and ever prepared to take an active interest in any movement for the welfare of the town. Mrs Saunders had also been a good friend to the brigade, and he was pleased that the members of the brigade had decided to present that lady with a very suitable memento. The speaker hoped that the gods would be good to Mr Saunders wherever he went. Lieut. Saunders did not know how to thank the members for all their kindness, which was unexpected. He felt that kindness from the bottom of hia heart, and he would treasure the memory of that evening. He alluded to the camaraderie that existed among firemen, and spoke of j the friendship between himself and the captain and Lieut. McNiven. It had been elated that the bowling green was the place to make friendships, but he believed fire brigades were a much better medium. He came to Hawera a stranger and a poor man ; he was leaving with more than he brought, for whioh, in a great degree, he had to thank Captain Wilson and Lieut. McNiven. He (the speaker) was sorry he was leaving juat at a time when he could see great success before the brigade. He advised the men to treat their officers with great respect, and obey all the orders given at fires. The pressure of water which would soon be at the disposal of the brigade would be sufficient for all purposes. He thanked the members for their presents, and passed a high compliment on the general efficiency of the brigade. He had much to say in favour of Secretary Bobbins, who knew much of the inner working of brigades, and if that gentleman remained in the brigade his services would continue to be appreciated. On behalf of Mrs Saunders he also tendered his hearty thanks, and in conclusion said he looked forward with pleasure to meeting in South Afiica their old captain (Captain Bartlett), who would, he felt sure, be glad to hear of the old brigade. He thanked Messrs Cooper, Sargent, Dowling, and Keen, who had been good friends to the brigade, and said he felt keenly the parting from Captain Wilson. He wished the brigade every success. Recitation, Mr Fraser. Fireman Sim proposed the health of "The Borough Council," on whom the brigade had mainly to depend. He was sorry that the subsidy was not so handsome as it might ' be, but still they had reason to be thankful. He alluded to the fact that a new station was to be erected. He was pleased that at the recent election Cr Bobbins had been returned, as his efforts on behalf of the brigade had been strenuous. He coupled with the toast the name of Cr Bobbins. Cr Bobbins said he had thought that another councillor (ex-Captain Whittington) would have been present that evening to respond to this toast. He alluded to the need for legislation in behalf of fi|p brigades, and proceeded to say that there was no vote given by the Borough Council with better grace than that of the subsidy to the brigade. A crisis in the history of the brigade was approaching, and he felt sure the council would meet them- in a most liberal fashion. He alluded to the proposed exchange of sections in order to secure a new site for the brigade Btation, and hoped things would work out satisfac tonly. Song, Fireman Sargeson. • Ex- Fireman Tilly proposed "Our Boys in South Africa." He looked forward to the time when Britain would be in a position to say to the world, " War must cease, the time has come for arbitration." He alluded to the hardships of the soldier's life, and to the fact that the present war had been responsible for the death of two local boys. Lieut. Saunders said one of " the boys " was their old captain. He proposed his health, which he hoped would be drunk heartily. "For he's a jolly brave fellow." Fireman Fitzsimons proposed " The Press," which was responded to by the Stab representative. Song, Fireman Whiting. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr White for his kindness in playing the accompaniments. After again drinking to the future health and prosperity of the lieutenant nud his wife, the meeting broke up with cheers and the singing of " Auld Laug Syne."