FIREMEN'S DEMONSTRATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14003, 8 March 1909, Page 8

FIREMEN'S DEMONSTRATION.

CHURCH PARADE.

The first function in connection with the Fire Brigades' Conference and Demonstration, which will be held in Auckland this week, took place yesterday. About 650 firemen, representing over 100 brigades from all parts of the Dominion, - assembled in Hopetoun-street at 10 a.m. and, headed ,by the Newton Band, marched via Hobsonstreet to St. Matthew's Church, where they attended Divine service. The City Fire Brigade's steam engine and ladder waggon were driven in the procession, which was a most impressive one, and was watched with interest by large crowds of people who lined the sidewalks en route. •

The sermon at the church was Breached by Dr. Neligan, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, who took for his text Micah vi. 8: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God?" After the service the men reassembled in Hobsonstreet and marched up to the City Fire Brigade Station, where they were dismissed. This morning the annual conference will be opened in the Wesley Hall, Pitt-street, and will be continued to-morrow. On Wednesday a demonstration will be given in the Domain, the principal feature being exhibitions of turning out to an alarm by the City Brigade at two or three o'clock. Competitions will follow. On Thursday the visiting firemen will be entertained at a picnic at Motutapu. On Friday morning the competitions will be resumed, and will continued on Saturday,. An interesting programme lias been arranged for Saturday L&fternQjtk