Fire Brigade Sports and Concert

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 13, 30 July 1891, Page 2

Fire Brigade Sports and Concert

In company with other movements in Feilding, the Fire Brigade, to keep in touch with the times, has received an impetus by the acquirement of some new members and also by a change of officers. A few weeks ago a meeting of the mem* bers was held, when Mr Bray resigned his position as Captain, owing to being called away from town so frequently by his profession. Mr J. C. Morey was then elected Captain ; Mr Shearer, lieutenant; W. A. Collins, Secretary; and Mr S. J. Thompson, Treasurer. It was also decided to hold a demonstration whereby to raise funds for the general working of this important organisation. The success of the demonstration, which was held yesterday, is due to the energetic ef« fortß of the officers, Who were ably as-_ sisted -by the men. The time at their disposal being limited, prevented the arrangements being carried out so completely as would qtherwise have been .the case. The weather proved all that could have been wished for, at least until after the: field sports were over, when a slight rain commenced to fall. At 2 o'clock •a procession was formed in Manchester Square headed by the Feilding Band, under the leadership of Mr E. F. Haybittle, followed by the fire engine, which was drawn by a pair of horses belonging to Messrs Shalders and Thompson. The Firemen took their! places on the engine, under the command of Captain Morey. Several of the Firemen were dressed 'in character, the majority of these being mounted on horses and following r the engine. The characters most admired were : F. Keen, as ap Irishman ; J. Eraser, an Australian Native Trooper; C. Nicholson, a Maori Lady.;- W. A. Collins, a Man of Flour (Chamberlain's) ; J. Matrayers and TThompson, in costumes indicating in an unmistakeable manner, that they had been .- , fitted out at tbe Temple of Fashion ; W. Watts, junr., and J. Bishop, junr., were also in costume. On the route to the grounds the band played two selections of music in capital form : " The Eed Rover" "Shells We Gathered by the Sea." THE SPOETS. Captain Morey acted in the position of starter, and Messrs Galway and Scott as timekeepers. The first item that took place was The Firemen's Race, 120 yards handicap, Ist prize, a pair of vases. — Firemen M. Belfit, W. Watts (scratch), J. Taylor/ J. Matrayers, C. Nicholson, A. Eade,. and Shalders competed. The result was i Watts, 1 ; Belfit, 2 ; Nicholson, 3. The One Man Competition,' the prize was a medal presented by Foreman Woolcott, of Wellington.- -The winner wasFireman T. Kitcnen, whose work was a fine specimen of neatness and despatch, and on finishing he received a round of applause from the spectators, his time was 51 8-5 sees. W. A. Collins (ltnin Bsecs)». J. Bartholomew (lmin9£secs),B. Cornish (lmin 49 3-ssees), and Nicholson alsocompeted. ' ' ' A friendly game of football then took _ place between the Brigade-men, captained by Strachan, and 15 others captained by Parr, and resulted in a win for the Brigade, their score being a goal, kicked by Joe Robinson from a try obtained by Strachan, and a try by Watts to nil. The "Fig Hunt" was rather a tame affair, for upon its being released it was immediately hemed in by the crowd and fell an easy prey to Fireman Matravers. The 10 men competition was then proceeded with. This consists in : Drawing; the engine to position, fixing and running out the hose, and pumping the water so as to reach a target some . distance from the ground. Sides were chosen by Capt. - Morey and Lieut. Shearer. Capt. Morey's team was : Firemen J. Bartholomew, J, Whisker, .Matravers, W. Eitehen, Watts-, Stevens, Cornish, Bishop, and T. Thompson. Lieut. Shearer's side being : Firemen Joe Robinson, T. Kitchen, W. A. Collins, W. Bellve, A. Eade, R. Newman, Nicholson, Taylor, Strachan, and Belfit. The latter party took the lead, but owing to some mishap in, the suction hose the force of water was not able to reach the target. Captain Morey's side then fol- " lowed, and succeeded in their endeavour, having the advantage of seeing the cause- ' of failure in their opponents. The time taken to accomplish this was 2min 23£seo. - THE AUCTION. Mr Trimble wielded .the hammer, and the large quantity of goods put up for sale realised satisfactory prices. display' of fibewobks. In the evening, at about 7 o'clock, the-fire-bell was rung and fire-works were let off from the bell-tower, the display beingeffective. THE COITCEBT. The Assembly Booms were well filled with an appreciative audience, .and the programme gave promise of a good entertainment. The various performers right through gave every satisfaction, as was. evinced by the applause with which each" piece was received. The accompanists were Mrs Foden, Misses Fraser and Roe. The first i f em on the programme was the slow march " Hector," given by Mr Havbittle'a String Baud, their rendering of which cannot be too highly spoken of,, it was a genuine treat to the audience. The duet " Flow on thou shining River," by Mrs Foden and Mr Eade was very pleasingly rendersd. Mr Thomas Rapley m "Go away Tompkms," was .very amusing, and replied to an encore with. " Hannah how's yer Ma." Mr Sommeryille's concertina Solo " Auld ' Robin Gray" was encored, and he responded with " The Bagpipes." Miss Bellve sang - •• O Fair Dove, O Fond Doye " and was well received. The song "Jack," by ' MrHarmer, was Tendered in his usual good style,. Mrs Prior's song '• The I Message " was effectively sung and much appreciated. An instrumental duet, by ' • i Miss Fraser (piano) and Mr Kitchen, (violin) was warmly applauded. Mrs Foden sang " The Swanea River," for which she received well-merited applause. This was followed by the AustraliaaPatriotric song " Old England and the* New," by Mr Eade, who received a hearty encore and suitably responded. Mr Rapley again toofc the audience in the singing of " Sour Kraut," and again receiyecL' an encore and replied with «* Schmederhow you Was.*' The Sketch '"ElocutionLessons " by Messrs Reading and Knighfc(m character) caused continuous laughter and tbe local allusions by Mr Kuighfc. were highly appreciated. Captain Morey then presented Fireman T. Kitchen, the* winner of the One Man Competition,, with the medal, and alluded to the smartness with which Fireman Kitchen had', accomplished the task. After an interval. the String Baud gave " Rosy Cheeks," a/ waltz, which was thoroughly enjoyed. This was followed bj* the comedy " Betsy Byker," the various parts being sustained by actors well-known on the Feilding stage : Mr F. Keen, as "Mr Viaraaduke Mouser"; Mr W. Porthouse, as " Mr Crummy"; Miss A. Keen, as '« Mrs Mouser "'and MissN. Parr, &» ♦'Betsey B.aker" (a laundress). .Theiracting was really excellent all' through, and without exception went better than any amatuer piece yet' played m Feilding and the' frequent and "hearty applause th» several actors received bore amply testimony to the fact. , - The whole affair was a success- in every ! respect. Tbe -net proceeds' for the day ~ ~ ' .amounted to about 4&5, '