THE FIRE BRIGADES’ PROCESSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLII, Issue 4321, 17 December 1874, Page 2

THE FIRE BRIGADES’ PROCESSION.

The torchlight procession of the Fire Brigades ,of Christchurch, Lyttelton, . Kaiapoi, and Rangiora last evening, was most successfully carried out, and notwithstanding the unfavourable weather numerous spectators thronged the streets through which the procession passed, and blue lights were burned at various spots on the route. Previous to the procession starting, the members of the visiting brigades, with several invited guests, were entertained at a cold collation, provided by Mr Wagner, at the Clarendon Hotel. The chair was taken by the ■ Mayor, supported by his Honor the Superintendent and Mr B. B. Bishop; the vice-chair being ooouSied by Mr M. B. Hart, supported by Dr 'oster and Captain Giraud. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, the health of "The Eire Brigades and Fire Police," were proposed by Councillor Jones, as chairman of the Fire Brigade committee of the City Council; Mr Craig, secretary to the Insurance Companies (associated), in the name and on the behalf of the various insurance companies, ‘then presented Mr Harris, the Superintendent - of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, with a box' containing one hundred and dye sovereigns, and expressed the high sense which the Insurance Companies entertained of the. valuable services rendered by Mr Harris. Mr Harris suitably acknowledged the handsome gift, and in responding to the .toast which had propo3ed, look the opportunity of stating his approval of the admirable manner in which the members of the Brigade performed their arduous duties, and the efficient aid rendered by the Fite Police.

Captain Mitchell returned thanks' on the part of the Fire Police. The Brigades then prepared the plant for the procession,, which, shortly after nine o’clock, moved from near the Cashel street bridge in the following order:—Drum and fife band of the Orphan Asylum; Fire Police, under Captain Mitchell, marching four abreast and bearing torches; the Kaiapoi Fire Brigade, under Foreman Smith, marching four abreast and bearing torches: the Rangiora Brigade, under Superintendent Johnston; and the. Lyttelton Brigade, under Foreman Sowden, marching in similar order, each man bearing a torch; Hook ahd Ladder Company, under Foreman West; the steam engine Extinguisher, under Foreman Piper; the hand engine Dreadnought, under Foreman Doran; the steam fire engine Deluge closed the procession. All the engines were profusely decorated with Chinese lanterns, and bore their respective names in illuminated transparencies. During the march a number of red and blue lights were burned, which had been manufactured and presented to the Brigade by Mr Fussell.

" ThO procession took the following route : From Cashel street to Colombo street, thence via Hereford street to the Public Library, by the Government Buildings to the Whately road, and to thAJunction Hotel, returning by Kilmore street to Colombo street, and round Cambridge terrace to Victoria bridge, thence along Colombo and High streets to the railway station. On reaching Cambridge terrace the order of procession was reversed. On arriving at the Railway station, three .cheers were given for the visiting Brigades, who departed for their homes by the trains which left for Lyttelton, Eaiapoi, and Bangiora. The Christchurch Fire Brigade then, on the invitation of the Mayor, proceeded to the City Council Chamber and partook of refreshments.