CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6273, 2 September 1898, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADES.

The annual "social" of the Christchurch Fire Brigades "was held at the Oddfellows' Hall last night, and was a decided "success. The hall was tastefully decorated with bunting and evergreens, the British, American and New Zealand flags surmounting the proscenium. The banners of the various Fire Brigades were also displayed. The Mayor of Christchurch presided, and -most of the' City Councillors were among the two hundred people who sat down to an excellent, supper provided by Mr J. Freeman. After the loyal toast Mr H. B. Kirk pro r posed " His Worship the Mayor arid Councillors." He said that it was largely owing to their exertions that Christchurch was now one of the most beautiful cities in New Zealand. He hoped soon to see the suburbs absorbed in the city, as had been the case with all leading: cities in other parts of the world. He hoped this idea would be consummated in the near future. The Mayor of Christchurch, in responding, said that the city was quite prepared to cake up the question of amalgamation ' when the opportunity occurred. The question was not one of expense^but of the welfare of the city and surrounding districts. (Applause.) The position that evening should by rights have been reversed, and the Mayor and Councillors ought to' have been the entertainers of the Fire Brigade, which had done so much to preserve the lives and property of the citizens, and ho hoped Councillors would take the hint. He did not wish unduly to flatter their own men, but he felt bound to say that the Christchurch. and local brigades had proved themselves equal to every emergency, and were not to be excelled in New Zealand. (Applause.) Councillor C. M. Gray, who replied on behalf of the Councillors, alluded with pleasure to the harmonious and cordial relations which had always existed between the Fire Brigades and the Council, and said that there had never been any serious ■ •differences' of opinion. The .Council bad ) always endeavoured to treat the Brigades well, and he thought the Brigades had merited this treatment. The medals, bars and certificates gained by members of the various Brigades were then presented by the Chairman. Each recipient was greeted with applause as the Lady Mayoress pinned on the medals. The various badges were allotted as under : — Medals for five years service— Foreman W. Juriss, Fireman Eobert Campbell, Fireman W. Bultitude and Assistant-Engineer Burke, the two last-named being members' of the Railway Brigade ;' two years service bars— Superintendent E. Smith (twenty years), Foreman M'Millan (seven years), Foreman J. Kennedy (fifteen years), Fore- ' man E. Tattersall (thirteen years), ; Branchman D. Berry, Branchman Atkinson (eight years), Fireman R. Campbell, Fireman A. Empson, Fireman Hoddinott, Enginefir R. Winter, Deputy-Superinten-dent W. Round (twenty years) ; certificates—Drivers J. Ward and Stirling ; Firemen R. Grenville, G. Batchelor, J.lrving and Deputy-Superintendent Round. In proposing the toast of " The Christchurch and Railway Fire Brigades" ; Councillor Gray said that the Christchurch Brigades wero the best in New Zealand, and°had a valuable auxiliary in the Railway Brigade, with its magnificent engine. Christchurch had obtained a good service at a low cost, and he could mention at ' least one municipality which had obtained a worse service at double the cost. The public had shown its appreciation of the services of the Brigade in the shape of .£SO in donations last year, and the Brigade itself had raised .£lB2. The big engine of the Railway Brigade should render a good account of itself in the event of a large ■ fire. (Applause.) Superintendent Smith, in reply, said it '. was very gratifying to see that the : services of the firemen had been appreciated, as was shown by the fact that the Christchurch Brigade was never short of ; funds, and could even manage an enter- ', tainment occasionally. The Railway Brio-ade, too, worked well with them. Christchurch had a really good plant, j which had cost the city but little, as the ■ money had been mainly subscribed by the , citizens. In Auckland £147,000 had been , lost by fire in tjhree months, and had the Christchurch plant been there available , the loss in all probability would not have exceeded £40,000. (Applause.) Other toasts vere : " Visiting and ex- , Firemen," proposed by Captain Manuel, : and responded to by Messrs J. R. Triggs, < W E. Samuels, W. B. Hobbs and Fireman ; Ealam, of Lyttelton; " The Ladies," pro- , posed by Mr Malcolmson, and responded to 1 by Firemen Campbell and Burke, and < I "The Press," proposed by Mr W. W. Colhns. f 1 A Christy entertainment given by the Fire 1 Brigade Minstrels caused a great deal of : amusement, two or three of the songs , : being encored. While the hall was being s cleared for the dance, Professsr Tucker ] gave a ventriloquial performance m the ] social room upstairs. Dancing was kept i up until an early hour, the music being i supplied by Mr C. Oakes's band, and Fore- ( man E. Tattersall, Messrs R. M'Millan and ( J. C. Cusack were the M.C.'s of the even- < ing. * '