THE BOROUGH FIRE BRIGADES.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2126, 20 August 1875, Page 3

THE BOROUGH FIRE BRIGADES.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Yestebday the members of the Grahamstown and Shoftland Fire Brigades celej brated lleir joint anniversary, From an early hour the engine-sheds and firebolls were decorated with flags and streamers, and in the evening there was a full muster of both Brigades at their respective engine-houses. The/Grahamstown Brigade, before 7 o'clock, turned out . with full force, including fire engines, &c, and (headed by the band of the Thames Scottish Volunteer Company, proceeded to Shorlland to meet their brethren of the bliortland contingent, and the united forces then formed a torchlight 'procession and marched from Qrey-street to Golden Crown-street, and finally drew up at tho Pacific Hotel, where the BANQUET had been prepared by Host Curtis, in his commercial room. Besides the officers and members of both Fire Brigades, who mustered in full force in uniform, there were present — His Worship the Mayor, who presided on the occasion, and Councillors Benskaw, Bowe, Ehrenfricd and Macuab, The tables were provided on the most liberal spirit, and _ the cookery and display really did credit to the caterer. .Those present did ample justice to the good things provided, and as there wasino time.to bo lost in consequence of tho dance which was to follow, the preliminary toasts wero hurried over. The Mayor proposed the toast of " The Queen " and " The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Boyal Family," which werej suitably acknowledged. Mr S. Young, Superintendent of the Grahamstown Fire Bsigado, then briefly proposed the toast of his Excellency tho Governor, which was also drunk with the usual demonstrations.

Mr W. Howe, on rising to' propose the toast of" His Honor the Superintendent, Sir George Grey," was received with cheers. He said he had very great pleasure in proposing the toast, Sir George Grey, as they all knew ho had for many years been living in retirement, but at the call of the people ho laid aside those pursuits ia which ho no doubt derived great happiness, and came _to the front, He had no hesitation in saying, although he differed from Sir George Greyvon some of the most important political questions which were now engaging the public attention, that he (Jir George Grey) came forward in tho interests of the people of the province, and that he was actuated by no oilier motive. In order to carry out the duties imposed upon him, ho did not seek his own interest-on the contrary, ho sacrificed them to servo tho people of the province. He was striving to do what lie considered to bo best for tho people of this province, and ho was entitled to their thanks. (Cheers.) He (Mr Kowe) did not think there was a man in tho province who supposed that Sir Georgo Grey was actuated by any other motive, and ho was quite sure the people of tho Thames would give him credit for sincority, and that those present would join in drinking the toast of his health. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Mr Superintendent Macdonaid, of the Shortland Fire Brigade, then rose to propose the health of tho Mayor and Corporation. (Cheers.) Ho was sure that all his comrades would join him in giving full honour to this toast. Tho Firo Brigades, before they. were united as voluntary servants of the Corporation, were supported by voluntary subscriptions, but since the Corporation was formed they had looked entiroly to them, and their requirements had been, heartily responded to. As sensible men, they asked for nothing which thoy did not require, and they certainly asked for nothing which they did not receive. (Cheers.) They had men on tho Corporation who, as representatives of the people, had given the Firo Brigades hearty co-operation and thanks fir their voluntary sorvices. He would not touch on political'matters, but it might be that in time this Corporation would bo able to pay a larger brigado than that which now gave them voluntary services, but all ho would say was that when these good days came, they would not be served by menmore heartily nor who entertained a more lively appreciation of their masters. (Cheers,) Ho would ask them to drink the health of the Mayor and Borough Councillors. (Cheers.) Tho toast was drunk .with cheers. TheCHiißMAN.said that on behalf of himself, as Mayor, be would return thanks for the manner'in which the toast had been proposed and responded to. There were several members of tho Council present, who were no doubt prepared to do that duty for themselves. In regard to what had been said by the Superintendent of the Shortland Brigade, he considered that the Corporation were not entitled to any thanks. They had merely done their duty. They would have failed in their duty if they had not assisted the lire Brigades to the best of their means. He thanked them heartily for the manner in which they had drunk the toast.

Mr J'hebnjbied expressed the pleasure which he felt in observing the Fire Brigades work so unanimously together. (Cheers,) ,

Mr Bexshaw, on rising, was received with cheers. He said it was the duty of tho Corporation to assist the Fire Brigades, and he was glad that such a good understanding existed between the brigades and the Council. He obserred that in other places municipalities had difficulties in regard to their Fire Brigades, but he believed the manner in which they worked together here prevented difficulty. It was his own suggestion that the Fire Brigades Committee should be composed of three members of tho Council and two members of each Fire Brigade. In tbis way the brigades were able to bring their requirements before the committee, and ho felt sure that the present amicable feeling would continue as long as tho committee did their duly. The Councillors were all anxious to succour and encourage the Fire Brigades. They felt that the men who gave their time should not be obliged to give their money as well, and they felt it their duty to meet their requirements. The requests made had all been reasonable, and nothing which had been asked had been refused, and they were always desirous of meeting their reasonable wishes. He should not like that they should think they were unthankful masters. They wero not masters, they were brothers, each working in his own way for the public good, It required public spirit to join the Fire Brigades, and he said all honour to those men who were determined to do their share of the public work, and none had shown this determination more than the Fire Brigades. He hoped they would have many other opportunities of mutually congratulating each other. (Cheers.) Messrs Macnab and Kowe also responded briefly. The Chaibjllv said (hat he had now to

proposo tho toast of tho evening, and ho wished it had 'been placed in better hands, but what he would say ho meant, and they must not consider there was any flattery in it, and it would be endorsed by the citizens. Ho proposed "The Health of tho Borough Fire Brigades," and wished he could do justice to it. The Fire Brigades of the Borough, on looking at tho body of men around him, would comparo favourably with any in Now Zealand. Ho had watched their practices, and had an opportunity of seeing other brigades, and ho never saw any work better topether thau they did, Their apparatus was always dean and in good repair. He had mado it a practice to inspect them, and always found them so. Volunteer Firo Brigades were essentially entitled to their support and _ thanks. There was nothing enticing in' being a fireman, but the contrary. It was all hardship and dirt and wet. Unliko the soldier Volunteers, tho firemen had to turn out at all hours, and after working hard all the day have to como to practico in tho evening. Thero was no inducement that he could see held out. Ho thought it posaiblo that something might bo done to encourage Volunteer Firemen. Soldier Volunteers wero decorated with badges, and could they not do something such as awarding medals or prizes for constant attendance_ and efficiency. He felt certain the inhabitants 'would aßsist and would suggest to the officers and members that they might initiate something of the sort, and they would find them quite willing to carry it out. .(Cheers) Mr Macdonald briefly responded, and then proposed tho joint toast of tho Host and tho Band, and Mr Young proposed the Press. a pance concluded the celebration. Thero wero about 50 couples present, who entered into tho spirit of tho amusement, with the usual heartiness which is characteristic of entertainments of this character, Messrs Kccd's quadrille band supplied the requisite music, a dancing programme was arranged, and thoso presont enjoyed a good night's amusement, which was brought to a termination about 1 o'clock,