Fighters Of The Flames.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 16, 22 April 1893, Page 361

Fighters Of The Flames.

FIRE BRIGADE DELEGATES AT WANGANUI.

ON those occasions when it has been our pleasure (or pain) to listen to the post-prandial speeches at some banquet where • Our Defenders,’ coupled with the names of the Army and Navy, were toasted with enthusiasm, we have frequently imagined that it must surely be an oversight which omitted all mention of those who are far more deserving of the name of * defenders of our hearths and homes ’—the Firemen.

* Tommy Atkins’ defends our empire, aided and abetted by ‘Jack,’ and very properly we honour and toast him on all possible occasions in consequence. But surely it is a monstrous injustice to forget the heroes who defend us from another enemy ; an enemy always on the watch to take advantage of any carelessness on our part; an enemy who never gives quarter; who spares not to do to the most awful of deaths, women and children; who insidiously attacks households sunk in sleep, and whose lust for destruction is never glutted. Surely no body of men, no section of the community, de-

serve better the esteem, the respect, and the support of the public. Nor is there any doubt that they have the first two, though perhaps through carelessness it is not so demonstratively expressed as might seem advisable and encouraging, but in the matter of support it must be confessed the public, aye and the Government too, have left something to be desired. The other day the United Fire Brigade held their annual meeting at Wanganui, and the picture given below is the group taken on that occasion of the various delegates who foregathered from all parts of the colony. No picture could possibly better deserve a place, and a premier place, in this paper, and no group of men has ever been inserted with more pleasure. The United Fire Brigades’ Association was established in the year 1878, and its objects may be succinctly stated as follows :

The objects of the Association are :—To organise the Fire Brigades in New Zealand under one recognised Council; to encourage the formation of Fire Brigades and Auxiliaries; to increase the efficiency of Firemen and the means of communication ; to consider all questions affecting the interests of Firemen generally ; to reward, by gift of testimonials or medals, acts of valour or important services on the occasion of fires, and for long service in the several Brigades ; to diffuse information and instruction to established Brigades; to encourage inventions and appliances for the more successful subjection of fires, and circu-

lation of directions to be observed by persons in saving themselves and their property from fires, and also how to treat temporarily injuries received from fire; and that all matters of grievance in connection with any Brigade on its roll may be brought before the Association and there be discussed in a fair and impartial manner, and, if possible, rectified.

The recent meeting in Wanganui was the first held there during fourteen years and a very large amount of important work was gone through with a promptitude, order, and dispatch that a good many of our private bodies might advantageously imitate. The president for the year, Mr J. Hughes, of Auckland, presided at the meeting, at which, by the way,- the president for the new year was appointed in the person of Superintendent Jull. In connection with Mr Hughes it may be interesting to remark that several of the local papers drew complimentary attention to him as the ‘ veteran fireman.’ For over thirty years has Mr Hughes devoted his life to fighting the flames. As far back as 1860 he was a fireman in Castlemaine, Victoria, and he was no novice then. One of the pleasantest episodes in the Wanganui meeting was the rewarding of a juvenile member, Alfred Norton Price, of Dunedin, who had showed phenomenal courage for a lad of ten during the fire which destroyed his father’s house. At considerable risk to himself the brave fellow helped his mother to save the younger children. The boy was presented with an address and was toasted with musical honours at a banquet, at which the Mayor of Wanganui presided.