ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2388, 14 July 1866, Page 4

ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE WELLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

Ysterday evening, the Members of tlio "Wellington Volunteer fire Brigade held their fir3fc Anniversary Dinner at the Panama Hotel. At eight o'ciock about thirty members of the Brigade sat down to a sumptuous repast, consisting of all the delicacies of the season. Captain Lewis Moss occupied the chair, Lieut. Quin and Foreman Whiteford occupying the vice-chairs. The Rev. Arthur Stock, Treasurer of the Brigade, sat on the right of the chair, and A. P. Stuart, Esq., Agent for the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, on the left. Ample justice having been done to the dinner, which was of tho -most recherche character, the dessert was placed on t.he table and the Chairman proceeded with the business of the evening. Previously to proposing the toasts, lie stated that he had received a letter from GK Hunter, Esq., expressing his regret thut urgent business in tho Council prevented him from being present, and enclosing a cheque for twenty guineas. Letters had also boon veceivc.l from Messrs. Pearce and Kivwan, apologising for their

absence,

The Chairman then proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, in neat and appropriate speeches. They were heartily responded to by the company.

In proposing the health of Ilis Excellency Sir George Grey, the Chairman said that he did so with a great deal of pleasure, and he felt sure that the toast would bo responded to by all present in the most hearty manner.

Drank with three times three, tho Band playing the air—" King of the Cannibal Islands."

Tho Rev. Mr. Stock said it \va3 his good fortune to have a tjast to propose that would rooommend itself to all present, and would require little to be said by him. it was tho health of their gallant Captain Moss. Ho considered that it was mainly through his exertions that the Bi-igade had been kept together during tho lusfc twelve months, and nil would bear witness how anxious he had bscn to do everything that would tend to its advancement and success. (Cheers.) He also thanked them all for the way' thJy had acted a3 a Brigade The time they had devoted to practice; and the efficiency they had attained as a Volunteer Fire Brigade were rory creditable to them indeed. Ho had mueli pleasure in proposing tho health of Captain Moss, who had so largely assisted in this good work. The toast was drunk with three t-imos three, and one cheer more for Mrs. Moss and family. When the cheering had subsided,

Captain Moss said, that-in rising to return tbanks ibr tlie enthusiastic rainnw in wliieli tliey had been pleased to drink his health, and that .of Mrs. Mos?, lie could not certainly take the whole of tho credit to himself for the efilcioncy the Brigade- had attained. There ware certain members of the Brigade who had been as assiduous in forwarding its interests ns himself; and praise was equally due to them. Ho considered that the Brigade, although not so numerous as it might be, was yet highly efficient. He could now say to the public, that there were no men in the Brigade who were not workers. Ho took a great delight in the Brigade, and thought it his duty, as a citizen, to do so, in a town where there were so many wooden buildings. Ho had seen conflagrations in Wellington where ho felt convinced, if there had been an organised '«ody, the fire might have been confined to one building.' He would remark, that it was mainly through the liberality of tho agcnt3 of the Insurance Offices that they had been enabled to carry out the oujeets of the Brigade. He (Capfc. Moss) might again remind them that he had received a letter from Gr. Hunter, Esq., Agent for the New Zealand Insurance Company, apologising for his inability to be present at their dinner, in conscqiieiico of important business in tlio Provincial Council, and enclosing a cheque for twenty guineas. (Cheers.) After thanking the company for tho kind manner in which they had drank his health, and that of Mrs. Moss, he sat down amidst loud applause. Song — " Maggie by my side" — Mr. Hooker.

Mr. Richardson, Secretary of tho Brigade, begged to propose " the health of A. P. Stuart, Esq., and the representatives of the Insurance Companies in Wellington."

The toast was drank with the utmost enthusiasm.

Mr. Stunvt said thai; ho was grateful to them for the Innor they had done him in electing him an honorary member of tho Wellington Volunteer | Fire Brigade, and for inviting him to lake part in the celebration of its first annivora.iry. To tho ■ head ofllao of the Company ho represented, ho had reported from time to time, the progress of their Association. Tho Directors were pleased to loam of i(s formation, and they continued to take an interest in its proceedings. Considering Iho short. 1 11113 they had licen organised, the iv.H!O:-sity of practising after their usual daily occup itiona wore over, and the fow opportunilioi tliey hid .13 yet lnd of encountering tho fiery enemy, great credit was duo (o them for the e/iitficney tliey had already attained. Ho had in his liMiid a pamphlet on fires, published by tho late Air. .Tames Braidwoocl, Superintendent of the London Fire Brig.ule, who was a most energetic man, aud who unhappily lost Ilia lifo at the groat fire whicli happened in London a few years ago. It c mtaineel much useful information, although not al; all applicable to the nature of tho buildings lnre. Tho first pirt treated of the causes of fires, and the writer next went on to consider tho best moans o? arresting them. (M>. Stuart here read some extracts from the pamplilot mentioned.) JIo thon continued — " It would be well, ho thought, if an attempt were made lo obtain water by meant; of artesian wells. In Chrisfcehui'ch an abundant supply was pro- 1 cu rod in I hat manner, and it came up with snfll- ' cien!. f.nv.e to fill engines without labor. The Brigade could nor, of course, bear this expense, bub the Government mi,r;hb bo incluee-d to do so, as ! if succjjf.ful Iho benefit to tho public would bo very I great. The Insuraneo Companies woro quite willing to assist in any measures thai; wei'o adopted for cither preventing or arresting fires, ' but, as there was a largo amount of properly ' uninsured it seemed reasonable that the public should subscribe) more generally for this good work. Ib was indeed their inl'ci'cst to do so. With more funds at their disposal they could obtain many appliances which woro much required. Besides, a wide spread liberality would show that, their exertions were appreciated, and when they worked without any reimine ration, j somo encouragement was both desirable and nccossary. 110 had bo fore alluded to tho late Mr. Braidwood, and ho would now say that whilo all firemen lamented his fate, they should emulate his.courago, gallantry, and fortitude. He thanked thorn for the manner in which they had drank

the toast of the Agents of the Insurance .Gam* panics, some of whom would have been.pvesent, li<ul they not been prevented by urgent business./ (Cheers.) Song — " Jessie of Dumblahe." Mr. Broadman proposed tho health of theMembers of tho Wellington Fire Brigade. The toast was drank with three times three. Captain Moss responded. Mr. O'Meara proposed "The Press," vrlricfc was drank with all the honors. Mr. MeKenzie responded. Mr. Grilligan- proposed the health of " TheLadies." Mr. Wyper returned thanks on their benalf. The following other toasts having been proposed and responded to, viz : — " Lieut. Quin, and Foreman Whiteford ;" Eev. A. Stock, Treasurer of the " Brigade j" " Mr. Richardson, Secretary ;'* " Tho Visitors •," " The Stewards v " " Tho Host, 1 * and "The Band;" tho company, after singing "Auld Lang Sync" in chorus, separated, eacht expressing gratification at tho evening's enjoy* ment.

We cannot conclude this report without paying a tribute of praise to Host Lalnont. The dinnerwas served up in first-nate style, the cuisine was. excellent and the wines of the choicest quality-