NELSON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8366, 30 September 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

NELSON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

THE ANNUAL SUPPER. T__r,_ v. as a large attendance at the Fire Brigade Hall on Sept. 27, when the members of the Brigade, with a number of visitors, including the Mayor and City Councilors,, the representatives of the Richmond Fire Brigade and the Nelson Salvage Corps, and Sergeant- Major Pratt, sat down to an excellent supper, to which full justice was done. Captain Bird was in the chair, and he was supported on the right by his Worship the Mayor (Mr Trask), and on his left by Lieut. Peebles, of the Eichmond Brigade, the vicechairs being filled by Lieut. King and Foreman Wimsett. After the repast, The Chairman said he had received apologies for the unavoidable absence of Councilors C. J. Harley and Baigent, Captain Croucher and Secretary Wilkes, of the Richmond Brigade, The Chairman proposed " the Queen and Royal Family," which was loyally received, the National Anthem being sung. Song by Fireman Vause. Lieut. King proposed " the Governor, the Army, the Navy, and the Volunteers," to which Captain Jickell responded, after Fireman T. Woodward had given a song. Lieut. King considered he should have included the mercantile marine in the preceding

toast, as their services were very valuable to the nation. Song— Lieut. King, The Chairman proposed "thei Mayor and City Council." He spoke of the kindness the Brigade had ever received at the hands of that body. Since the Brigade had been under the Council, he. said there had been no trouble- as regards funds, and the Council had shown that they were well satisfied with the Brigade. He specially referred to the kindness the Mayor had always displayed towards them as a puhlic body. The toast was received with musical honors and cheers. Song — Fireman Thomson. The Mayor, in re? p -nding, referred to the Counoil as also beinx a volunteer body. He repudiated the idea tbat the Councilors were an unsocia' lot of mea, and Baid what differences might exist io their meeting -, wben th y met outside these were put oo one aide, tnd th«y met in good friendship. He said he was bappy to be present with tbe Coun"i'ors, and to recognise the valuable servioes of tbe Brigade, and tbe good work tbey did in saving lifa and property. i r Everett said he was pleased at having the privilege of being present. He vas the 0 de_t Councilor present, hiving been in thai body twenty-one yeais, Bnd it was aa tha Mayor had said, when tho battle waa over there was no more of it, and tbe hatchet wai buried. He be' eyed the whole of the members ac.ed conscientiously io oarrying out the duties of the Counoil. He felt snre all tbe Councilors were pleased to be present, aod to do honor to snoh a body of mea bs composed the Brigade. Song — Captain Jiobell. Foreman Wimsett proposed "The Bioh* mond Fire Brigade," and Lieut Peebles of that bod? responded. Song by a Fireman. The Mayor proposed " the Nelson Volanteer Fire Brigade." He spoke of the arduous duties performed Tby the members, and eulogised their smartness in putting ont fires. He aho duly recognised the valuable aid given to tbe Brigade by the Salvage Corps and the Police. He hoped the members ot the Brigade would live long to be associated wih eacb other. Song— Or G. Bout. Captain Bird expressed his pleasnre at the manner in which tbe Brigade had been' referred to* He eaid before the fire-raiser was caught, the Brigade had turned ont to thirty, sight fires wbich they reckoned had been , wilfully started. He felt proud to belong to euch a body of men, who always did as they were told, be considered tbe firemen aa good as tbose in otber places. He hoped that they would live long to work together, and that the 'same good feeling wonld alway" exist between them as at present. Beoitation — Cr Lock. Beoretary Cooksey proposed " Tbe Salvage Corps," and,, after a Bong was given by Fireman Jones, Captain Price responded, recognising the harmonious manner in whioh tht two bodies had always worked together. Fireman McArtney proposed "Tha Insurance Companies." The Chairman said he had received an apology from Mr A. A. Scaife for hia absence. He stated the Insurance Companies had sent them a oheque towards their annnal pionio. Song — Cr Aker steo. Cr Bout, in responding, said orders had come from headquarters tbat they muat net contribute towards tbe funds of a Firt Brigade, he supposed it was because the, more efficient a Brigade was, the less likely people were to insure. The Association had seat £20 towards the Brigade's pionio, and he wonld endeavor to get a contribution sent every yeer. Song— Fireman Vanie. The Mayor propoied " The Nelson Polioe Force." He spoke ot tba effioient manner in which Sergt-Major Pratt and his smalt foroe i of men did their various duties. He also i reoogniaed the services the Police had from time to time rendered in discovering fires, i Song— Mr F. Trask. Song - Mr H V. Gully, Sergt-Major Pratt, in responding, said be i was pleased to hear that the Folice had dont 1 their doty to tbe satisfaction of the publio. He said it was satisfactory to know that tbt < fire-raising was at an end. and he was pleased the Police had something to do with potting a step to the fire-r-iser. He complimented the Brigade on their smartness, and said ht considered them seoond to none. Fireman Vause proposed •' the Absent Members," and in doing ao kindly referred to Fireman 0. Harley, Dr Ooleman, and Dr Leggatt. The toast waa received with cheori, i Song— Fireman T. Woodward. Or J. A Harley proposed " Captain Bird." He said he had known Oaptain Bird from ' his infanoy, and bad met him in sport, work ■ and trade, and had always found him honor* i able aod generouß. He oonsidered the Bri- : gade tbe best institution tbe oity bad, and i Oaptain Bird might well feel proud of bung i at its head. i Captain Bird in responding, Eaid Or Harley's kind remarks had touched him very i mnch. His motto had been in sport and ■ other matters "go straight " Ho bad risen ' from the ranks of tbe firemen, and ht hoped others would do tbe same. He was pleased i when ho went to other plaoes tt hart enquiries made abont old members ot tbe , Brigade. Beoitation— Secietary Cooksey. i Foreman Bichards proposed " Onr departed i Friends." Tbe toast was drank in ci ence. i Song— Or Akersten. Seoretary Cooksey, in responding, Bpoke of i Captains Knight, Mirfin, M. Heo.'air, H. Wimsett, and Lightfoot. He al-o referred to the late Oaptain Gordon Ponsonby. Song — Fireman Leonard, of Riohmond. Fireman W. Dee proposed " the Ladies," and referred to the " new woman." After Fireman Thomson had given a recitation. Fireman F. N. Jones responded. He said tbe women were becoming a etronger power , politically, and tbey might yet see a Ftmalt Fire Brigade. Song— fireman E. HounseU. Fireman Truman proposed " tbe PreiH," and atter a song from Captain Prioe, Sir W. T. Bond responded. Beoitation — Mr Lusty. Song— Mr Lnxford. Captain Biid proposed " tha Firemen." He eaid bo worthy a body of men deierved every recognition from their officers. Song— Fireman Vauae. Fireman F. N. Jones, in responding, spoke of the exoellent officers they had, wbo were ■ re-eleoted year after year, co great waa the confidence reposed in them. , Songs by Or Akersten and Fireman E. , Woodward followed. The compny having joined in singing " Auld Lang Syne " and tbe National Anthem, ihe pleasant gathering came to a oloae at one o'olook this morning.