The Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1888. HIGHLY SATISFACTORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6185, 13 March 1888, Page 2

The Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1888. HIGHLY SATISF A CTORY .

Probably there has been no under/ jaking of a general character in this Cifry whicti has resulted in a more satisfactory mannei than the United Fire Brigades' Oonferenw and Demonstration. The principle to be adopted was simply this : Tb^ United Fiw Brigades having selected Chrietchurch at the rendezvous for their Vonual gathering, the citizens had in hono'jr to provide th« necessary funds. It wtr,s pretty geoeralty understood that, directly and indirectly , the citizens would (*iin many advantages from the demonstration, and this no doubt in a large measi'a-e influenced them in subscribing moir'ey or trophies. At the same time, it is impossible to avoid recognition f O f the fact that the highly sati/, factory financial outcome is due to, the administrative ability displayed. With a Chairman peculiarly fitted for; the position, a Treasurer to the manner born, and a Secretary who seemed never to tire, there was every reasonable assurance of success; but not the mo3t Banguine could for one moment have anticipated success in co large a measure. The business of the Conference was carried but orderly and well; the visiting firemen were, according to their own emphatic declaration, splendidly entertained; the spectacular portion of the programme wag liberally arranged; the prizes and trophies were well worth winning, and the competition programme was so devised as to ensure great advantage in the direction of technical education, and in the encouragement of inventive skill. The financial issue is a credit balance 1 of .£217. In dealing with this sum tb.e Executive Committee thought first of tfhe City's claim. The citizens had met the Committee in a liberal spirit : it was 'aow possible for the Committee to reciprocate. The Committee is enabled, by foncuitoua circumstances, to present the Ci',^- with a new chemical engine, worth, for all practical purposes — .£SOO. Those who sneered at the time the engine n<yjr in use was purchased, and who predicted that the " sodawater squirt " wouKi be a miserable failure, have had abundant cause since then to alter their opinion ; for the chemical has, in the saving 0! property, "paid for itself " many time?- over. The new engine will have double the capacity, and— let us us say — ten times the utility ; for naving two generative tanks instead of one, these can be brought alternately into use for fire, extinction, thus rendering the appliance practically inexhaustible. The citizens, will have cause for pleasurable recollections of the recent demonstration. Besides the purchase of such an engine, the Executive Committee were enabled to make certain other recommendations. By these, suitable acknowledgement was made of (services rendered, and a reserve fund waß left to meet contingencies. All's well that ends well. The United Fire Brigades' Demonstration of '88 has ended uncommonly well.