PRESENTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 6725, 6 October 1885, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

A presentation of a purse of fifty sovereigns was made to Mr Murphy, late captain of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, at the Fire Brigade Station last evening. There were about twenty persons present. Mr Job Wain, in making the presentation, said, as they were all aware, they were met to present a purse of sovereigns to ex-Captain Murphy from the insurance companies and the citizens of Dunedin. It gave him great pleasure to make the presentation on their behalf, as Mr Murphy had become a fireman under himself, as captain of the old Brigade. He had stuck to the Brigade ever since, rising from the ranks up to the captaincy. He joined in January, 1875, and was elected captain in April, 1878. He (the speaker) did not think Mr Murphy had ever been a member of any Brigade before he joined this one, but. he proved a very apt pupil, and distinguished himself at-Jhis work. He was one of the team who went to Ballarat to compete in the demonstration there in 1876, and he might say that that team gave a very good account of themselves. He hoped when the forthcoming demonstration takes place in April of next year that Mr Murphy would bring forward a team, and that they would give as good an account of themselves as the one had done to which he had referred. So far as Mr Murphy and himself were concerned, he might say that they always got on very well together, and he had no doubt that all those present would speak very favorably of him. It was no sinecure position to be captain of a fire brigade. It was not only necessary to study to keep your men together, but also not to send men to . any post of danger where you would not go yourself. He believed that Mr Murphy had always kept that in view. He was sorry that the times were so bad as they were at present, and that they were not able to give Mr Murphy a more substantial token of their regard than they were about to do. Those, however, who had subscribed to the presentation would have done more had it lain in their power. The speaker then handed to Mr Murphy a purse of sovereigns. Mr Murphy, in returning thanks, said he had always taken a great interest, pleasure, and pride in the Brigade ever since he .was captain of it. Ho thought, moreover, that so long as he was in or near a place where there was a fire brigade he would be connected with it in some way or other. From the time he entered the Dunedin Brigade he was determined, if possible, to make himself a proficient member thereof. He had filled every office, from a junior fireman to the captaincy. There was no doubt that it was an office that required a great deal of thought, and he looked upon it as one of the most responsible offices in the City. He had always endeavored to give satisfaction during his term of office, and he thought he had succeeded in doing so. There always existed a good feeling between himself and the Brigade, and he wished while he was on his feet to thank them for the courtesy and kindness that they had always shown him. The party then adjourned to Liston's Hotel, where several toasts were proposed and duly acknowledged.