F F B. Team's Trip to Christchurch

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 116, 29 March 1892, Page 3

F F B. Team's Trip to Christchurch

Notes by the "Quiet One." (Continued from last issue). On Tuesday the weather was still grand and we were again out early. About 9 o'clock one man was so strong that he broke one leaver of the engine, thus giving us all a spell till after dinner. By payment of Is we were allowed to climb up the Cathedral tower, and are well rewarded by getting an excellent view of Christchnrch and subnrbs. We mounted high above the massive and beautiful peal of bells we beard on Sunday. At 7 p.m. we muster for the torch-light procession, which was a success in eyery way. Three brass bands turned out with us and thousands of people lined the streets, and the windows in every house were aliye with faces. The first-prize engine was rigged with a ship in full sail under the wellchosen name of " Dreaduought." Another had a blacksmith's bellows and a full-cos-tumed devil with a long fork stirring up his last trophy in red fire. After 45-min-utes march we were entertained by the Christchurch Brigade to a stand-up refresher of the inner man. The sky was inky black, thus hiding the full moon and helping to make the fireworks look their best. Wednesday — confound the rain! All the artesian wells (there are hundreds of them in Christchurch) must have burst up in the night, for the rain came down in lumps. This was the day we commeaceß. tbe competitions. It was 12.30 before a start was made, and all oi us were waiting in the rain — that is about 300 firemen, the public wisely staying at home. The One-man Manual Engine event took the lead. After 26 others our turn came and Kitchen put the lot down with a nice run of 41 seconds, for which we carried him shoulder high amidst much applause. The Palmerston rep. ran next with 40 seconds, then Christchurcb's chosen capped the lot with 36 2-5, but we felt proud as it is no mean thing to get third at a big meeting like this. The slowest time was 61 2-5 seconds. We were close up in all we ran for, only being 1-5 second behind in one event. The management, to say the least of it, was not good, and the weather and the ground were bad. At 6 p.m. we adjourned, wet and cold looking, like scavengers oh a wet day. At 8 o'clock the Christchnrch Brigade gave a public display of water— three steam engines poring out 21 jets, coloured fire and fireworks making the display worth seeing. To finish the day we spent two hours at "Wirth's circus. It was still raining hard on Thursday, The ground being muddy and the rain pouring the runs were very slow. One man, not to lose his run, would not let go the hose which got entangled in the reel was dragged about half a chain in the mud and slush, looking like a mud-man when he got up. Another slipped on the ladder and put his thigh out, and Harrison, of the Marton team, slipped clown the ladder aud sprained his ankle. We were sorry for our neighbors, the}' having lost their best man. Only six more teams were to compete for our Li*,' event (five men dressing) when our team, being next, walked out ready, but as it was 6 p.m. they were not allowed to ruu till Saturday, the committee hoping to get a little gate money at the eleventh hour. We should have proceeded on Friday but the grounds were engaged for a ram fair. On Friday the unmixed blessing (rain) came down all day. By the advice of the captain we all bad a Turkish bath, and a hot time we had of it. Kit, W.C. and E. began to think they had got to life's journey's end and not a cup of cold water with them. At 2 p.m. our boss is offtoLyttelton to catch the Waihora for the return trip. At night we were banquetted iv right royal style. Our late foreman, Chris Nicholson, who had just turned up in time, was with us. It was still raining on Saturday, but we went to Aldington to try our luck again, but the fates were against us, although we had a good run of 51 seconds. After dinner about 300 spectators turned out to see something of the demonstration. "We bid good-bye at 2 p.m., and got on the tram for the City. Chris Nicholson was at the 4 p.m. train to see us off, and wishing to be remembered to old friends. At the sound of " All aboard" K. and N. looked very glum, but if they send lots of nice letters and plenty of presents I can promise them the best of all girls will not forget them. We boarded the Hauroto at 5 p.m. and landed in WeJiington at 9 a.m. after a splendid run of 15 hours. We went to hear the fine singing and interesting sermon by the Rev. Mr Patterson on Sunday morning. In the evening we went to hear the Rev. Dr Tucker in the Wesleyan Church, which was packed. On Monday morning we decided to return by the Wellington-Manawatu line, having had enough of the rain, although we had free passes for the Wairarapa route, but the 27 miles coach was not good enough. It rained all the way up and was still raining when arrived in Feildiug after having thoroughly enjoyed our two-week's trip to Christchurch.