PRESENTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3583, 17 August 1874, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

A very pleasing ceremony took place at the Fire Brigade Station on Saturday night, the occasion being the presentation to Branchman Hughes, who is about to leave the Province, by the members of the Brigade, of a memento in recognition of his past services.

Capt, Wais, iq making the presentation, said that all were well aware of what had brought them together that evening. He might say that it was the first duty of this sort he had had to perform since he had been *n the Brigade, and he cju;d assure them that he was very much pleased it was to such an old and tried member as Branchman Hughes that he was about to make the presentation that evening. Many of those present had known him while in the old Brigade and since its reorganisation in 1868. Mr Hughes was about to leave for Auckland, having been appointed superintendent of the Brigade in that Province through the recommendation of the officers of their own Brigade, members of the various insurance companies, and several well-known and influential gentlemen in this City who had known him for a number of years. He might mention that there were ten application for the p >st, and he felt it a great honor that one of the members of their Brigade should be selected. All were well aware of the nature of the preaeutation—the testimonial and a silver call. The inscription on the testimonial was as followsTo Mr John Hughes. Dear Bir,—On your resigning the position qf fireman, and being about to leave the Province the officers and members of the Dunedin Volunteer Fire Brigade desire to present you with some small token of their appreciation of your conduct and ability as a fireman; they, therefore, beg to present you with the accompanying silver call and chain. Wishing you every success in your future undertaking, we beg to subscribe oarselves on behalf of the Brigade.—Job Wain, captainW. Hobbs, lieutenant.” With the testimonial was a silver call, bearing the inscription “ Presented to Mr John Hughes, together with the testimonial, by the officers and members <*f the D.V.F. 8., 15th August, 1874.” On behalf of the brigade he (Captain Wain) had much pleasure in presenting Branchman Hughes with the testimonial and silver call and he hoped that he would be long spared to use the latter in the brigade with which he was about to be associated. They were doubtless sorry to lose so valuable a member, but at the same time the best of friends must part. He was sorry at any time to lose a member. Mr Hughes having expressed a wish to get his belmet, he (Uaptain Wain) had spoken to the Mayor, who had given him permission to present Mr Hughes with his uniform and helmet. (Loud applause.) Although not of much value, it could show what service it had seen.—(Hear, hear), Mr Hughfs, who was received with cheers said in reply that hs was sure he could no’ find words to express his thankfulness for the handsome testimonial and call, and also for his working uniform. He could assure them that, with respect to the uni orm he f.vr preferred it to a new one, as anyone looking at it could at once notice that it had seen service. With regard to the call, no officer could do without it. He • hoped that it would be some time before he had to use it, but when he did so he hoped that it would be answered with the alacrity, promptitude, and steadiness with which the members ef that Brigade obeyed the call when they heard it from their captain. —(Applause.) He trusted that his past experience with brigades in this Colony and Victoria would enable him to organise one second, if not equal to that in Dunedin, than which there was not a more efficient body in the Colony. With reference to what had fallen from Captain Wain about his appointment, he might say that when he received the telegram informing him that be had been elected, he felt proud that he belonged to the Dunedin Fire Brigade, and that one of their number had been elected to the position. During the past twenty years he had never come across so efficient a body as the Dunedin Fire Brigade; and he considered the Brigade a credit to its officers. On looking at a fire a morning afterwards, and the danger he had subjected himself to, he had thought that he would never have gone to such a place in his calmer moments, and then it occurred to him that he had simply done his duty as a fireman. They all knew that his appointment in Auckland was for twelve months only, subject however, to extension if he gave satisfaction! He then stated his personal reasons for going away from the Province. He expressed his regret at having to leave the Brigade after so long and favorable a connection with it, but said he was forced to do so. ihe health of Mr Hughes and wife was drunk with musical honors. The toast of Captain Wain was proposed by Mr Hughes, and responded to in a neat speech, Lieut. Hobbs in responding to the toast of “The Fire Brigade,” said that he had known Mr Hughes as a fireman for eighteen years, and had seen him in all capacities. Mr Anderson sang a humorous Scotch song in good style ; after which the toast ef “ The Press ” was proposed by Foreman Lewis, and briefly responded to by Mr A. Cohen. '1 his brought a most enjoyable evening’s amusement to a close, the greatest good feeling and harmony existing between the members. The illustrated certificate of the old Brigade was let iu above the in cription on the testimonial. The engrossing was done by Mr Weston. The silver call and chain were made by Mr Telfer, and have gold mountings.