FIRE BRIGADE.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2579, 24 May 1871, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE.

Last evening the membe s of the Fire Brigade added another to their list of pleasant social reunions by anentertainmentinthe Old Masonic Hall, at which ihere was a full attendance of the brigade and their frierds, and many invited guests. The room was very tastefully decorated with evergreens aud flags, the Brigade’s banner occupying a prominent position. The feature of the evening was a presentation to Captain Wain of a highly ornamented whistle. From a miniature shield in burnished gold, surrounded by a laurel wreath in frosted silver and dotted with gold berries, is asilver chain inconnecti n with a silver whistle, mounted on a gold plate elegantly chas d, that at one end expands into a tulip, into which the ball of the whistle fits. The mouthpiece is also of gold, and the whole forms a very elegant ornament. It was designed by Lieut. Hobbs, and manufactured by Mr. F. Tofield, Princes-street. The shield bears the fo’lowing inscription : - “ Presented to Captain Job Wain by the officers and members of the D.Y.F.8., as a small token of their appreciation of his conduct. May 23, 1871.”

in making the presentation, Lieut. Hobbs said : Captain Wain, 1 am deputed by the officers and members of the Brigade to present to you this small present as a token of ter esteem and approbation of yonr conduct during the time you hare been our Captain. I need not tell yon that every member of the Hrigtde has contributed his quota towards the purchase of it ; and I am sure that it will prove a more earnest expression of their views towards you than any words I can use. I have the greater pleasure in making this presentation, because I know of no man in this City more worthy of it, (Applause.) I have known you for some years past in your capacity of foreman, and I venture to say that during your career you have invariab y called forth the approbation of the officers and members of the Brigade. I only hope that you may be spared a long life, and that during your connection with the Brigade you may continue to enjoy the lespect that is now paid you. In presenting you with this present I trust yon will always wear it with credit to yourself, and with honour to the Brigade of which you are captain. (Cheers.) The health of Captain Wain was then given and enthusiastically received. Captain Wain, in reply, said that he felt at a loss to return thanks for the handsome present they had made him, which was so unexpected, or for the manner in which he had been spoken of by Lieut. Hobbs. He was no speaker, and they would have to take the will for the deed, trio far as the Brigade was concerned, it was certainly a hobby of h's ; and although it entailed a great amount of labor, that labor was a plea-uro to him, wh n he found, as he did that night, that it was appreciated. Jt had always been his study, since ho had been connect d with the Brigade, to make the whole body work as harmoniously together as he could ; and he was glad to see that his efforts had met with approbation. He referred to the time when the City was without a Brigade ; and at the time he thought it was a great shame that it should have been allowed to be disbanded. In conjunction with Lieut. Hobbs and the officers of the old brigade, he managed to get together the present brigade; but he only did so after a great deal of trouble, and he must say that the Insurance Companies did not behave so well towards the brigade as they had a right to expect they would. At that time Mr Birch was Mayor, and gave great assistance in the matter in fact he doubted if the brigade would have been reformed without his assistance.—(Applause). Even at the present time the Corporation had great difficulty in obtaining from the Insurance Companies their mite cowards the Brigade’s support. When there was no Brigade, the companies made great promises, which, however, there were now not ready to keep. Although the other Volunteer corps would no doubt be found ready, were their actual services required, the real burden of an attack would full on the Brigade ; for in the event of a bombardment, their services would of necessity be required iu extinguishing fire ; and they were ready to give them on such an emergeucy. He concluded by again thanking the members for their present.

The remainder of the evening was pleasantly spent in singing and dancing, the company breaking up at au early hour this morning.