CITY FIRE BRIGADE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13863, 28 March 1907, Page 2

CITY FIRE BRIGADE.

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER AND CONCERT. At tho Central Fire Brigade Station on Tuesday a complimentary dinner and snioko concert was tendered to tho City team that competed with marked success at the recent Firo Brigade Demonstration in Chrislchurch. Tlicro was a large attendance of representatives of the various city and' suburban brigades, and also visiting lircmen fr ra Napier, Arch Hill (Auckland), Easlown Railway, Gisborno," Alexandra, Eden Terrace, Groymouth, Blenheim, Palmerston North Fire Police, Nelson, Stratford, Petonc, and Lawrence. Captain Mitchell presided and among those present wcto Mr A. R. Barclay M.H.R. ami Mr J. F. Arnold M.H.R. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor (Mr Lawrence), the Town Clerk (Mr R. Nγ". Richards), Mr Cray (manager Underwriters' Association), and Mr W. o.' Millar (secretary Underwriters' Association).

After the loyal toast bad been honoured, Captain Milled , , of Blenheim, proposed tin "Parliament of Now Zealand." Responding, Mr Barclay, M.H.K., said a. good deal of trouble had been laken over the Rro Brigades' Bill, and if amendments wore desired he was sure- they would find Parliament sympathetic in tho highest degree. ' In proposing the "Underwriters' Aeso.ciaiion," Foreman Oarrington ventured tho opinion that when the reorganisation of the fire brigades took place flic Underwriters' Association would have a formidable task. Replying on behalf of tho underwriters, Mr Smart said that tho heroic work of the firomun was liighly nppreeial.od by tho Underwriters' Association. In- the interests of firemen, the speaker advocated the formation of a fire police brigade, whose efforts would enable firemen to moro easily carry out, their important duties. The toast of tho evening, "Tim City Team," was proposed by Captain Mitchell, who said: "I'am only expressing the feelings of all present in tendering my hearty congratulations to the Duncdin City-Team on their recent achievements at the Exhibition. The City Team has held the shield for tho past two years, and there is no doubt they fought hard to bring honours back again to tlia city. I was not. present at their competition, but I can, with every iiremun, realisD I hat the Duiiedin City Team, ill offering another run for their" event, had acted with undoubted generosity. Their 57 yards' run was a splendid performance. Tho Chrktahurcii men had displaced tho Dunodin City Team. All the same, ho considered that, tho Dunedin Ciiy Twim were tho imo winners.—;' Hear, heur.') Tho pluck shown by the team' in chancing the forfeiture of £20 by accepting another run for their ovent was a sportsmanlike action that raised a feeling of pride in the breast of their comrades. Willi tho exception of two members, the loam was constituted tlio same as it had been for tho last two years. They woro all young men, and one—he should .not say too miiuh—was an old married man'.—(Applause.) But tho married man was there all righl.'—(A Voice: 'Poor old Bob.') I have pleasure in welcoming publicly the men homo again, and in congratulating tliom on their performances."— (Applause.)

Iu briefly replying, Foreman. Salmon, of the City Team, said lie hoped tho team's work had been a credit to Dunedin. They had done their best, and though they had been beaten [or the shield, the better team had won.—(Applause.) Fireman Murray said there bad been a. great deal of talk about the protest lodged, by the Christchureh loam. At the samo time Iho Dunedin City Team entertained no ili-feeling to fchoChristchurchmcn. Still, tho City Team strongly protested against tho procedure under which the deoision was given. About, 2 o'clock in the afternoon of tho day of the competition nothing; of the protest, was known. It was not until after 10 o'clock next morninjj that they heard of tho protest. At that hour it was impossible to get the necessary rebutting evidence, and tho whole inquiry was rnsbed through in half an hom\ In those circumstances he was entitled lo say that tho Diinedin City Team bad won the shield, although they had not the pleasure of ln-inging it baoli. The captain of tho winning team (Dnnnevirko) had personally told him that ho considered the Dunrdih City Team bad won the ■shield fairly.—(Applause and three cheers for the team).

Tho toast of the "Visiting Firemen" was proposed by Mr Sklfeh and responded lo by Captain Miller and other visiting representatives. In his reply, Oantain Miliar paid a higi tribute of nraise to the work of the Dunedin Citv Team.

. In proposing the toast of "The Chairm«.n." Contain Miller said that in Captain Mitchell tliov had an officer who was well-' known and honoured from the North Capo to the Bluff. Captain Mitchell, in his rosnonse. said he had <ilways been under discipline from his earliest years. As oneo[ Ilie oldest officers of the Fire Brigades' Association, he had great faith in the new Fire Brirad'V Pill in Parliament's hand , !. Ho hoped that by next year their brijwuio would I;o placed on a better footing than at nrcsont.—(Applause.) Contributions to the evening's harmojny were given bv Messrs Salter, Strang. Feeler, Wyinfcs, Williamson. Mooning, Solomon, Swan. Olson, Lsis W.irton, DriseoU Bros., and others.