VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE AND SALVAGE CORPS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 5872, 27 January 1880, Page 3

VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE AND SALVAGE CORPS.

The above corps held their annual dinner at the Melbourne Hotel last evening, about thirty being present, including several visitors. Captain Asher occupied the chair. The dinner having been disposed of, the company proceeded to drink a number of toasts usual on such occasions, interspersing them with songs. Captain Asher proposed the toasts of “The Queen and Royal Family” and “ His Excellency the Governor,” which were well received, and Mr. Ambrose proposed “ The Insurance Companies.” Several apologies were received from managers of the insurance offices for their non-attendance. Lieutenant Jenkins proposed “ The Mayor and Corporation,” hoping that body would be more liberal to the corps than it had hitherto been. Mr, H. J. Moss proposed “The health of Captain Asher,” and in doing so, on behalf of the company, presented that gentleman wbb a medal as a mark of their high appreciation of bis arduous and disinterested services on behalf of the body under his command, and alluded to his very long experience in that and kindred organisations both in this and other colonies. The medal on one side had an engraving of the fireescape, with the letters “ W.V.F.P.," and on the obverse was the following inscription : “Presented to Captain D, Asher, by the members of the W.V.F.P., in recognition of his valuable services on behalf of the corps. January 26, 1880.”—Captain Asher, in reply, expressed his heartfelt thanks for the honor done him. He would, as he had in various places for a quarter of a century, continue to the best of his ability to further the success of any body, having for its object the mitigation of the horrors of fire, with which he might have the honor to be connected. During the course of his remarks he alluded to the opposition the corps met with from a rival organisation and to the new fire escape. He hoped they would never have occasion to use the new instrument for the salvation of life, but felt confident had they possessed it earlier several valuable lives might have been saved. He hoped to wear the medal given him on many such jovial occasions as that on which they were met.-—Mr, Barton proposed “The Press,” and referred to what he considered undeserved strictures on the Fire Police by a section of the local Press. He thought volunteer bodies such as theirs should be given encouragement when possible by the Press, rather than unmerited and indiscriminate condemnation, The toast was duly honored.—Captain Asher proposed “The two Fire Brigades,” coupled with the names of their respective chiefs, who had been unable to be present with them that evening. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm.—Among the remaining toasts were ‘‘Thedinner committee” and “The visitors.” Several members of the corps enlivened the proceedings with songs, &c., and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent, the company separating at midnight.