FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION FOR WANGANUI.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12381, 4 February 1908, Page 4

FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION FOR WANGANUI.

Eevzrtbody in a civilised community, whether old or young, owes a debt to its fire fighters and feels more than a mere passing interest in its Fire Brigade. The business man whose stock has to be protected or salvaged, equally with the householder whose chief anxiety in an outbreak does not extend beyond his furniture, feels that interest and owes that debt. When to this is added the duty of encouraging the efficiency of our' Fire Brigades and of helping to maintain them in up-to-date and serviceable equipment, it is hardly likely that those who owe them so much will withhold practical help according to their ability. For these reaBond we look to see a lull attendance of citizens at the meeting convened by his Worship the Mayor in the Council Chamers to-morrow evening. The object of the meeting is to consider a proposal that the United Fire Brigades Association should be invited to hold its 1909 conference and demonstration in Wanganui. The Association held a very successful conference here some years ago, but so far we have not yet been privileged to see the firemen of the Dominion demonstrating their methods of fire extinction and life saving. The Association was invited to hold last year's demonstration here, but as the Christchurch Exhibition was on, it was felt the better plan to hold the fixture in the Cathedral City. Now, however, there is no reason why Wanganui should not have its turn, and how that can be secured will be explained by Captain Spriggens at tomorrow night's meeting. The main object which the promoters of the proposal have in front of them is the raising or guaranteeing of the sinews of war. £600 will be required, of which about a third may be expected, to be supplied by gate money, though this cannot be absolutely counted on in view of the always-to-be-guarded-against possibility of wet weather. The quid pro quo offered to the citizen* in return for their financial support is the presence of from 700 to 800 men here for from a week to ten days, and as each man will represent an expenditure of from £4 to £5 in that time, it will be seen that, apart from the sporting aspect, the holding of a demonstration here is a good business proposition. Fuller details will be laid before to-morrow night's meeting by Captain Spriggens, and we hope to see a large attendance of the public to^give their practical support to the proposal.