THE FIRE BRIGADES' TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION.
Tbe third annual torchlight procession of 1 tbe Firo Brigades took placo last night, and ' was an unqualified success, despite the aeoidenfc in the afternoon at tho Market Place Station, by wbioh all tbo fireworks, Roman candles, Ao., which had been prepared for the occasion were totally destroyed. Professor Bickerton and his assistants, and Mr Cook^of the firm of Cook and Rose, came to the rescue, and tbanks to their valuable assistance the Brigades were enabled to present a very beautiful spectacle throughout their entire length of march ' through tbe principal thoroughfares of the city. Shortly after nine o'clock, fche proces* lion started from the Lichfield street station in tbe following order: — I, ex- Foremen Gourlay and Roberts ; Pioneer Hojk and Ladder Oompany »3, Engineers' Band ; 4, Fire Police ; 5, the Extinguisher Company, 0.K. 8. ; 6, tho Kaiapoi Fire Brigade ; 7, Dreadnought Com* pany, C.F.B. t 8, Rangiora Brigade j 9, Delugo Company, C.F.B. The following was the route taken throogh the City :— From Lichfield street to the Cashel atreet bridge, leaving Caahel atreet bridge for Oolombo atreet, to Hereford street, Lane's ' bridge, Cambridge terrace, Armagh street, Cranmer square, Whately road, returning to Kilmore streot, Colombo street, and Cambridge l terrace, where a halt was made for fire minutes } I from Viotoria. bridge in a direot lin<t to 'Bar*. re't's Hotel. St. Asaph street to Colombo itreefc, tberce to Liohfield street station. The streets were crowded i* ith people, the proeesrion being witnessed by many thousand spectators. The display of coloured lights was truly magnificent, considering the short time at disposal for their preparation, and the effect far exceeded the most sanguine expectations. Oa returning to tho station, the members of tbe Brigadesand Fire Folbe, and a number of invifcod guests, partook of some refreshment in the reading room. The ohair was oceupied by hie " Worship tbe Mayor. Tho Chairman, in very i eulogistic terms, proposed the toattof "The Christcburch Fire Brigade," coupled witb the name of Mr Superintendent Harris." Tbo toast was drunk aaid great enthusiasm ; and Mr Hards, ia responding, thanked Professor Bickerton and his assistants, and Mr Cook, for having done so much towards making the affair i\ succesi. The toast of the " Visiting Brigades," coupled with the names cf Mr &uperititendent,John* ston (Rangiora Brigade) and Mr Superintendent Smith (Kaiapoi Brigade), was then pro* posed by tbe Chairman, and honoured in tho most enthusiastic manner. Messrs Johnston and Smith having returned tbanks, the toast of " The Insurance Companies" was proposed, and drunk amid enthusiasm. Messrs D.Craig and J. A. Bird, with whose names the toast was coupled, responded. Mr Superintendent Harris proposed the toast of "The Mayor and City Oounoil of Christchurch.'* The toast was drunk amid loud cheers. The Mayor, in respond bg, expressed tbo regret whioh the Cifcy Council felt at not being able to assist the Brigade to that extent which they earnestly desired they could do. They hai got many very f ffieieat institutions in their midst, bofc thero was none (bet could exceed tbe efficiency of the Chrutcburch Fire Brigade, whioh would be a credit to any park of the world, judging from Cho manner ia which they bad ulways act?d at 6ns. "The. Mayor fcben proposed the tennt of the "Fire Police," and iu uouig eo.'cxprcwei regret thai ill-health bad caused Oaptain Mirehell to Withdraw lempor-trily from tbo active ©jib* mand of tho Fore*. Oaptain Mitchell returned tbanks for the manner in which the toast and the mention of bit name hvi been received, Beve?el other toasts were proposed, and duly honoured, and tbo proceeding terminated at an early hour.
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Bibliographic details
Star (Christchurch), Issue 2416, 17 December 1875, Page 3
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604THE FIRE BRIGADES' TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION. Star (Christchurch), Issue 2416, 17 December 1875, Page 3
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