GRAHAMSTOWN FIRE BRIGADE.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3681, 17 August 1880, Page 3

GRAHAMSTOWN FIRE BRIGADE.

PRMrATIOH OF A FLAG, The above brigade hold their annual meeting at the shed in Quoen street last evening for tho election of officers. There was a large attendance. 'Jlie following officers were unanimously ro- | eloctod: - George Price, S uperintendeu t; R, Pearse, captain; Thomns Rawdon, treasurer; G. Basbam, secretary; E. Brownlow, Foreman of Keel; W. Harris, Foreman of iingiue; E. Price and J. West, auditors; j. Wright, engine keeper and librarian. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lion members and subscribers to the funds of the brigado. The Superintendent announced that Mr C. F, Quint, of the Empire Hotel, desired their attendance after llie meeting, and the brigado proceeded to respond to tho invitation. An excellent suppor was provided for the men, the table being bountifully supplied with good fare kindly provided for the occasion by the Host and Hostess of the Empire, and about forty persons sat down. Fire Inspector Alfred Price presided. The occasion was the birthday celebration of tho Hostess, and as tho annual meeting of the brigado fell on the same day, she took advantage of it to present the brigade with a splendid Union Jack sho had made for the purpose. The flag is an immense one, covering one end of the large room in which it htlng, and bears the initials G.Y.F.J3. in white letters on blue ground. It will be hoiated over the engine shed to day. Ample justico having been done to the good things provided, tho usual loyal and patriotic toasts wore given from the chair, and heartily responded to by tho men. The toast of "Our Volunteers" was coupled with tho name of Capt, Wildman, T.N.8., who was amongst the guests invited to be present, and that officer responded in a most appropriate speech, giving at its close, the health of the brigade, coupled with the names of tho Superintendent and Fire Inspector. Superintendent George Price and Fire Inspector A, Price responded, " The Health of the Host and Hostess, Mr and Mrs Quint" was proposed by the Vice ■ Chairman, who paid a high_ compliment to their generosity and public spirit as shown in the handsome gift the brigade wero met to receive at her hands. It was stated that Mr Quint had always taken an active interest in the Grahamstown Fire Brigade since its inauguration, when he occupied a position in its ranks; and although he was now only an honorary member he still maintained the warmest interest in its welfare, and was doubtless proud of its efficiency, The toast was most heartily drunk with musical honours, and duly responded to by Mr Quint, who regretted that his wife was not able, through illness, to join him on the occasion. Engine-keeper Wright followed with a few words respecting the early history of the brigade, of which Mr Quint _ -waß a member, and took occasion to express his regret that the report read at the anniversary dinner a few days ago i did not givo them all the crodit they' were entitled to. He thought the junior secrotary of another branch of tho brigade had stolen a march over their Secretary whou ho itidu-.'ed h : m to append his namo to such a report, and he trusted reoretary Basham would not be caught napping in such a way again. Tho report actually made them not only second in rank, but younger in age by two years than they actually were, for they were formed in July, 1870, and not in 1872 as tho very inaccurately-compiled report they had heard read stated. The fact was that the brigade was re-organised in 1872, not formed, and tho best proof of this was that they were presont and assisted to extinguish the great Are in Shortland early in 1871. Secretary Basham acknowledged that he was tripped up by his brother secretary of the Shortland Brigade, Mr Ahier, to whom he had given his own report in good faith, and he hoped the error complained of would be corrected by the Press. The toast of Ouv Local Industries" followed, coupled with the names of Messrs A. and G. Price, and a reference wan made to the fact that their industry was the only one out of all Thames industries brought before the notice of the Royal Commission, which was favourably affected by their report, as the Commissioners fully recognised the importance of such- industries in connection with the public works of tho colony, and recommended that they should receive more encouragement than hitherto. A number of excellent songs interspersed the speeches, and a very jolly evening was spent by tho men. Mr J. Wright's song " Hot Asphalt," was the most taking [one of the evening, and received the warmest praise for its originality and excellence.