VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIG ADE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1447, 4 February 1885, Page 2

VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIG ADE.

The annual banquet of the Ashburton V -lunteer Fire Brigade was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening. In addition to the members of the Brigade there were several invited guests present, and a very p’easant evening was spent. The chair was occupied by His the Mayor, supported on his right by Captain J. 0. Dolman, and on his left by Mr Alfred Harrison and Lieutenant Fooks,

The vice-ch dra were filled by Lieutenant Dolman and Mr Parkin.—A letter was read from Mr J. M. Cambridge, apologising for his non-attendance. Ample justice having been done to the good things provided by Mr Quill, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were duly honored. The Chairman proposed “ The Army, Navy and Volunteers,” and Lieutenants Dolman, Fooks and Corporal Dunn responded. Lieutenant Dolman proposed “ The Ashburton Borough Council,” coupled with Iho names of Messrs Alfred Harrison and George Parkin, a present and exCouncillor.

Mr Parkin, in responding, said there ms only one fault to be found with the louncil—their parsimony towards the fire brigade. Ho hoped, however, that irhen they became more affluent, they roiild recogise the error of their ways and leal more lihoraliy with the Brigade Mr Harrison also acknowledged the umiplimmit. Mr I’arkin proposed “ The Ashburton Jouoty Council,” speaking in very eulogistic terms of that body, and deprecating ,ho proposals for its abolition. Ho revetted that no member of the Council was prevent, and coupled the toast with the name of Mr T. McLean Dunn. Mr Dunn responded with characteristic humor. Cnpt. Dolman proposed “ The Western Kiro Brigade.” lie said that the senior brigade had not yet had an opportunity to see the junior in work, ut he hoped the time was not far distant when they would meet at a fire. Then, he had no doubt, the Western Brigade would fully sustain their favorable reputation. He thought the two Brigades should amalgamate, and that working under one head they would attain greater efficiency. The toast was coupled with the names of Captain Fooks and Lieutenant Miles of the Western Brigade, and drunk with musical honors. Captain Fooks, in responding, said that it, must not be assumed from the proposer’s remarks that hia Brigade had never turned out to a fire. They had not only turned out to a fire, but succeeded in extinguishing it. He thought with Captain increased efficiency would result from the amalgamation of che Brigades, but in the meantime, with a view to the annual competitions under the auspices of the Fire Brigade Association, he suggested that friendly competitions should take place between the two Bri gades. He was happy to- say that the Western Brigade was flourishing ; it was certainly composed of young men, but if that was a fault it was a good one. Lieutenant Miles referred to the valuable assistance the Western Brigade had received from Lieutenant Dolman. He (Lieutenant Miles) thought that if the friendly competition suggested by Captain Fooks was arranged, the We Tern Brigade I would beat their older contemporary handsomely. Mr Marsh proposed—“ The Canterbury Fire Insurance Association,” and Mr Alfred Harrison responded. The Chairman proposed—“ The-United Fire Brigades Association.” He was, he said, glad that the toast had been placed in his hands, as it gave him an opportunity to compliment the local Brigade upon their enterprise and pluck in sending a representative team to the recent competition in Dunedin. That team, from a variety of circumstances that did them no discredit, had not been eminently successful, but they had had an opportunity to observe the working and methods of.other brigades, and leathering experience which would ultimately be of much value to them, not only in future competitions but in actual work. He coupled the toast with the name of Lieutenant Dolman, who had command of the team despatched to Dunedin. Lieutenant Dolman said there could be no doubt that the United Fire Brigades Association had done much to advance the interests and efficiency of the Brigades. Its Oommittoa had succeeded in obtaining free railway passes for the representatives attending the recent Demonstration in Dunedin, and a grant of L 250 from the Government. The latter, however, had been almost wholly absorbed by the other travelling expenses of the Northern Brigades. The competition itself had been of incalculable b nefit to their own representatives. They might have remained in Ashburton until attaining the age of Methuselah without acquiring onehalf the knowledge they had secured by their few days’ visit to Dunedin The officers of the Association were in no way responsible for the dissatisfaction that had occurred in reference to the competition. The entire arrangements wore made by the Dunedin Loo d hminiittoe. The next competition would be held ut Napier, and he had no doubt that it would be oven more successful and instructive than the last. The president of the Association, (Captain Cummings), the vice-presidents (Captains Amos and Waterford), and the other officers wore in every way qualified tor the post'ions they tilled. The Ashburton team had not oipeqtod to win, hut certainly had expected to occupy a

bettor position in the contest, and would have done so, he thought, if they had had some previous practice with the plant used in the competition. Their keys, too, were too large for the engines, and delays consequently occurred which wore fatal to their ohaiice of success. He had bean much impressed while in Dunedin with the high pressure water supply, which was infinitely more efficacious than the most powerful engine in suppressing fire Mr Alfred Harrison proposed “ The Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade.” He said that from the Captain downwards the members of the Brigade had always displayed the greatest enthusiasm in the discharge of their important duties. The value of the properly saved by the Brigade, notwithstanding their comparatively small appliances, was enormous. He concurred

with Lieutenant Dolinin's view as to the benefit of the competitions held under the auspices of the United Fire Brigades Association, and expressed confidence in the future of the local Brigade. Oaptain Dolman, in responding, said that the Brigade had during the past year held 22 practices, 11 meetings, and attended 4 tires. Ho had worked hard to send a representative team to Dunedin, not expecting that they would attain any great measure of success, but would gither inhumation which would be invaluable to the Brigade on future occasions. Ho thought that in all future competitions the representatives should use the same plant. Ho deplored the misunderstanding with the Borough Council, and expressed himself as quite willing to retire from the office of Captain if such a step would result in improved relations between the two bodies. The Brigade had not received a single penny from the public during the past twelve months. They had in hand between L 3 and 1,4 to carry them on for the next six months, „iid the present liabilities amounted to nearly L 7. UnmiS M?*? received some additjonal support from the public their fl nances would bo in a very sorry plight. The Chairman said ho felt ttyat tqo remarks winch' had tuilen item Oapta u Dolman demanded some comment ato,l ■ him. As regarded the financial positpu of the Brigade, the members must not be discouraged by its unfavorable »»J»eot j It

was no worse than that of other public bodies in Ashburton. He was quite sure that the best feeling existed between the Borough Council and the members ef the Brigade, and it was the earnest wish of the former that the latter should flourish and take the position they were entitled to in public estimation. If any temporary difficulty, such as hinted at by Captain Dolman, existed, the Brigade should confer with the Fire Brigade Committee of the Council, and he thought its removal would be expeditiously effected. Mr Parkin, treasurer to the Brigade, said that during the past twelve months the Brigade had received from the Council a grant of L 25, and the amount of expenses, L 4 16a, a total of L 29 I6s, while their expenditure had been L7B 10s. Until the previous day, when he received two one guinea subscriptions, they had not had any assistance from the public.

The Chairman said that he had not that evening prepared himself to go into financial matters, but he was satisfied that an> tangible grievance the Brigade might have would, if properly submitted, receive the prompt and liberal attention of the Council Ho thought that it behoved the people to lend a helping hand to the Bri gads, and he had no doubt that if the matter was ventilated, support would be forthcoming. He recollected in Ballarat some sixteen years ago the caretaker for the local volunteer firemen made a round of the town each week, and received 6d from each householder towards jthe main* tenance of the Brigade. He thought such a method of collection might be advantageously adopted here.

Mr Alfred Harrison announced that he would give a prize to be competed for by the two local Brigades.—The Chairman said that be would do the same. The two announcements were received with loud applause. Mr Stephens proposed “ The Commercial Interests,” and Mr »Jesaop responded, —Mr Parkin proposed “ The Banking Interest,” coupling the toast with the name of Mr S. Saunders. The latter gentleman responded with some ambiguity.—Mr Perriman proposed “ The Ladies,” and Messrs Grant and Fooks responded.—The Chairman proposed “ The Officers of the Volunteer Fire Brigade,” Mr Higgins responded.—The Chairman proposed “The Press," and .Messrs Saunders, Kay, Dolman, Dunn and Paul responded.—Lieutenant Dolman proposed “The Chairman,” highly eulogising the Mayor’s social and public worth. The toast having been acknowledged, the Chairman proposed “ Our Host,” and the proceeding were concluded by singing “ An d Lang Syne,” and “ God save the Queen.”