THE BRIGADES' SMOKE CONCERT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 31

THE BRIGADES' SMOKE CONCERT.

PRESENTATION OF PHIZES. The smoke concert in connection with the Fire Brigades' Demonstration and the prize presentation ceremony took place in the Garrison Hall on Friday evening, when there was a very largs gathering, some 600 sitting down to the tables. His Worship the Mayor (Mr T. R. Christie) presided, and he had on his right. Su- J. C-. Ward and on his left the president of the association, Captain Toomey. Amongst those present were the Hon. W. M. Bolt, M.L.C., Messrs J. A. Millar, M.H.R., J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., and T. K. Sidey, M.H.R. ; Captain Mitchell, Superintendent Smith (.Christchurch), Captains Wum (Lawrence), Wallace (Dunedin Railway), Robbins (Hawera), Washer (Roslyn), Strood, Battle, Bellringer, Miller, Price, and Egelton, Messr3 T. B. Fairbaim (town clerk\ R. S. Allan (city engineer), tlumembers of the City Council, Messrs 0. H. ' Hosking, A. Tapper, J. A. Park, D. Cooke, ' J. F. Kirby, and G. M. Burlinsoa, Ex-presi-dent Martin and Ex-president Baker. The toast of " His Majesty the King " having besn honoured, His Worship the Mayor, in proposing the toast of the " Parliament of New Zealand " said the present Government had enjoyed the confidence of the people of New Zealand for the past 13 years, and tnere was no doubt it had done very good work and had passed many meastires conducive to the welfare of the colony as a whole. During all those years the Government had been most ably led by the Prime Minister (Mr Seddon), who had spared neither his zeal nor his health in the service of the people. He had associated with him men of ability in the Ministers of his Cabinet, and he (the speaker) could not help admiring the splendid work done by Sir J. G. Ward and his good services to the colony. — (Applause.) Referring to the good work done by the Government in opening up the country, he regretted more of Otago had not been opened up to commerce, and in that connection he referred to the Otago League now in process of formation. So far not a great deal of interest had bsen taken in this movement, but lie had no doubt ths result would bo for good. — (Applause.) The Hon. W. M. Bolt briefly responded. He said there were many points in common between the body he represented — the Legislative Council — and a fire brigade. They were both called upon to work at all hours of ths night, both worked in a heated atmosphere, and both had a way of throwing cold water on explosive oratory. — (.Laughter.) During the 10 years or more he had been in Parliament h? had many occasions to reply to this toast, and he was very pleased on this occasion to reply before stich a large gathering of men from all parts of the colony. He believed that in the near future Parliament would be called upon to deal with many great problems, but he believed th«y would be dealt with in a manner which would be for the benefit of the people of the colony.—^Applause.) Mr J. A. Millar, MJE.R., said Mr Bolt had likened the Upper House to a fire brigade, but the Legislative Council reminded one more of an ice chamber than a fire brigade. (Laughter.) The council was commonly known as the " House of Destruction." — (Laughter.) He (Mr Millar) responded on behalf of that Chamber which was known as the " House of Construction." — (" Hear, hear," and applause.) Very often the actions of the Parliament of to-day were compared with those of the Parliament of the past. When thesa comparisons were made the conditions of the past should also be compared with those prevailing to-day. There was a constant state of evolution going on, and that evolv.tion compelled the Legislature to tread paths that had never been trod before, and if i mistakes were made, why should Parliament be blamed when the representatives were honestly doing their best. — (" Hear, hear.") \ He claimed that Parliament had had to deal with many great and new problems, and had dealt with them in a practical manner. (" Hear, hear " and applause.) He believed that in the future Parliament would be found dealing with even more difficult questions than in the past, and those problems would bo handled in 9 manner which, he believed, would be in the best interests of the colony. — (Applause.) Mr J. H. Hosking then proposed the toast of " The United Fire Brigades' Association it New Zealand." He never had the honour to belong to any brigade, fire or otherwise, and he had never even assisted at a fire, except on one occasion when he and some others had been called to a fire in a neighbour's house. They threw the crockery out of the top window and carried the bedding downstairs. Needless to say, they did not win any medals for their bra very. — (Laughter . He was quite sure few people in Dunedin previous to the visit of the firemen had any idea, such as the demonstration had given them, of the importance of the association, and those 500 or COO men were only about a third of the total firetien of the colony. The demonstration had" illustrated how many fellow-citizens were giving up their time in endeavouring to fit themselves for the saving of life and property. In its deliberations and the business-like manner in which it was conducted, the Brigades' Conference gave an object lesson to a more costly body that met elsewhere. — (Laughter and applause.) The fact that the men were ready at all time 3to risk life and limb to save life and property commended the brigades to the hearty sympathy and support of all. — (Applause.) Captain Toomey (president of the association) responded. He said it was not a night for long speeches, but rathor.a gathering for conviviality and pleasant meeting. He had to thank the gathering on behalf of the brigades for the kind reception accorded them, and he had to thank the people of Dunedin for the very great kindness the men had received in this city. The firemen had all enjoyed themselves splendidly, and they would ever retain the most pleasant recollections of their visit to Dunedin. — (Applause.) Sir J. G. Ward, accompanied by members of the committee, then ascended the platform, and the ceremony of presenting the prizes to those who had been successful in the various events took place. Prior to presenting the prizes Sir Joseph delivered a particularly happy speech, in the course of which he said he desired to congratulate the colony upon being able to present such a fine gathering, and the city of Dunedin for being the home for the time being of so great a representation of the brigades of New Zealand. The firemen had not only done credit to themselves, bxtt to the districts which they represented. — (Applause.) They all knew that Otago was slow to move in many things, but when it did move it moved with wonderful alacrity. — (" Hear, hear," and applause.) In saying that he expressed an opiniorv ho was sure everyone would endorse when they remembered that* the necessary wherewithal for prizes — without which the demonstration could not have taken place, — to the extent of £1400, with the exception of £150 contiibuied by the association, had been raised locally — •• Hear, hear."} Wlien Dunedin rose xo the

occasion it did it in light royal '.ty'e. — (A>plause.) There were 69 brigades represented in Dunedin, and r-ome 500 members of the brigades had taken part in connection with the demonstrations that had been so we^l carried out. — (ApP lause -) ""It had been a record attendance of fire brigades, a record nttendance of firemen, and matters had been so well airanged that record weather was provided to enable the firemen to carry out their work, and practical work at that. — (Applause.) It was a commendable thing that ihe firemen came, not for pleasuie, but animated by the desire that, by competition wit li other fuliy-equipped brigades and by entering into the stimulating work of trying to wrest the first prizes awpy from others in every branch of /he brigade work, they might the better train themselves for their arduous and noble duties. — (Applause.) The experience of experienced men during the past 10 or 15 years had been that record after record, which in bygone days were thought impossible, had been broken — (" Hear, hear' 1 ), — and in sorae cases those records had been broken by district brigades that were never thought to have a chance. — (Applaiise.) It was through that healthy spirit of competition and of emulation that they found such good results, which were certainly a credit to the brigades of the colony — (applause) — and to the firemen, who were custodians for the time being of millions of pounds' worth of property, and the guardians of the lives .- -he people. JSTo fire took place in any part •«? colony, even though those interested r« insured to the highest amount, but it vr.<s a loss to the community ?s a whole — (applause), — and under the circumstances men of every shade of opinion connected with the local or pubic affairs of the colopy shcii.cl put their heads together in order to sco thnt the present position of affairs was done with and a scheme established that pnsure to the brigades a certain and deiin.. a mount of income, and that would ensure — not only in the towns, but in tha country districts — efficient and up-to-date lire brigades for the benefit of the community as a whole. — (Continued applause.) Amongst the things the conference had clone that would be productive of good had been the consideration, of the measure which firemen generally were anxious to have. — (Applause.) He thought that after the focussing of public opinion upon this measure some of the objections found to exist in Parliament last year would disappear, and Parliament, would hail with, satisfaction the proposal which had bsen submitted to the firemen in all parts of €hs colony — (Ajjplause.) Sir Joseph then referred to the happy state of prosperity in the colony, and contrasted it with the state of affairs in other lands. The first consideration before the captain and members of a. fire brigade was to sava life, and it was fitting that on this occasion the first prize to be presented was for the baby rescue. — (Applause.) The pnze-ta.\-ers were then called up, and each brigade *_presentativa was greeted with applause. Sir Joseph subsequently presented the gold star for 25 yeais' service to Secretary Scantlebury, of Reefton. Cheers were then given for Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. Captain Martin (Gore) proposed " The Local Fire Brigades," and tins Vs briefly lesponded to by Captain Mitch**' 1 , '-ho thanked the various brigades for +,-• \ e;id!y manner 3" which the competit:o- - (1 been conducrs— Captain Washer (Reslvn ,■! Captain Wai (Dunedin Hiuwst) :t -■ - -,nvH*i\. Mr A. Tapp -r ,-.■?- - : u:..r.) i. imposed tin toast of '■ Ci'y <!•)<"' - >i h.-r.i Mayors and Councillors." «.o'i."> c: 1 •_• ihs* ,<&mea of ths Mayor of Dtii t.lii > c Vj«>yor of Roslyn. The friendly sbvjii'i o the subjects of the toast wou"cl'. he sau,, ,c lucre appreciated by firemen if the honorarium were increased to firemen. He took the opportunity of complimenting the large number of men who 'had visited this function on their behaviour, and they had been men whom it was a pleasure to meet with. Contact with such men had convinced him that on joining fire brigades they learned not only to fight the flames but; had to conduct themselves as gentlemen. A3 for city and suburban mayors and councillors who did their duty, they deserved the very best thanks of the ratepayers and of the general public. — (Applause.) The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr Christie), the toast having been done justice to, in thanking those present for a hearty response, said that many times, no doubt, fire brigades thought that city councils did not give as generously towards their support as they could ; but, although they had not the necessary funds io equip brigades as they should be equipped, their sympathies were all with the brigades. He believed that in the near future fire brigades would be put on a proper basis; and he cou'd speak with perfect safety so far as the City Council of Dunedin was concerned, as it intended to support the Fire brigades Bill. — (Applause.) Mr T. Mackenzie, in replying to the toast, said he had watched the growth of Dunedin since the eariy goldfieid days. He had watched 1 this city rise to a premier position in trade and industry until it became the metropolis of the colony. He hart seen men. go from Dunedin and establish *n other centres and make those centres. They had seen, he said, the high-water mark reached here, and now saw the ensuing slackness of the tide. They had been, told they were a. wonderful people down here ; but now, at anyrate, they were napping, and required soma hard knocks to waken them. Southland was sapping their trade as far as Clutha, and Wellington was establishing herself in Bend street. They would', however, rouse themselves in Dunedin. — (Applause.) They could at leas* console themselves with the knowledge that they were a great and progressive people, and {hey would always have the trade of White Island as their own. — (Laughter.) On behalf of the people he represented, he could say they were proud of the fire brigades of thia colony;' and in Roslyn they were proud of Captain Washer, who had done such good work among them. He would join most heartily with Sir Joseph Ward and the Government in bringing in a measure that; woxild compel those who years ago should' have extended the brigades financial assistance to in the future extend that assistance which they had declined to extend voluntarily.— (Applause.) ( I Ct Loudon, in proposing the toast of ' The Visiting Fire Brigades," coupled with the name of Secretary Bobbins (Mayor of Hawera), said he felt sure the toast would commend itself waimly to every member of the Dunedin, City and suburban fire brigades, as weld as to the citizens of Dunedin generally. Previous speakers had referred to the general success ! of the conference and demonstration, and if? certainly was most gratifying to ail concerned, and to those who, like himself, had taken a keen, interest in the affair, to find their efforts crowned with success. He thought, however, that a. large measure of the success was attributable to their visitors — - first for their generous response response m the matter of entries and contestant's, for the keen interest displayed by them in the inteN" lecfrual side of the conference, and for the manly and sportsmanlike way in which they, had carried out the various contests. Their visitors had won golden opinions from theii\ brother firemen and people of Diinedin, and! he was pleased to say had also succeeded in! getting s^niethißs more tangible in ths gian?

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if a goodly proportion of the prizes offered, pie hoped they would be able to look back with pleasure to the demonstration of 1905, and he ftould assure them that they carried with them lo their homes the best wishes and esteem of fche Dunedin and suburban fire brigades. — (Applause.) Secretary R-obbins, in replying, emphasised the fact that the gathering was representative of some 2000 firemen throughout the colony, and the fact that the present demonstration constituted a record in pretty well "everything connected with similar demonstrations in the ,t»lony. They could not help some of them ' thinking of how 26 or 27 years ago a few men, representing the firemen of the colony, met in Dunedin, and contrasting that time with the present. They were glad to nave Sir Joseph Ward's assurance in regard to the Fire Brigades' Bill; he was certain the Government of the colony and the local bodies were prepared to d-o what was right by firemen, and it was only the insurance companies that had to be brought into line. It was what the fire brigades of the colony had done m the past • that had raised them to the proud position they held that day, and he believed they were at present higher in the estimation of the people oi the colony than ever before. H« thanked all concerned most heartily for the manner in which so many visitors had been Entertained that evening and throughout the week, and they were also indebted to Sir ' Joseph Ward for the sacrifice he had made to be present. — (Applause.) Other toasts -were " The Judge and Referee," '. proposed by ex-Captain Wain, and responded __ toby Captain Winn (Lawrence); " The Underwriters' Association,'-- proposed, by Mr J. A. Park, and responded to by Mr R. M. Clark; - The Ladies," " The Press," etc., the function concluding shortly before midnight. During the evening songs ■were contributed "by Captain Eggleton, H. Wright, P. James, and E. Falek, and a number of selections by Jtfr Robertshaw"s orchestra.