CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1477, 9 November 1878, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADE.

The competition mentioned in Inst Tuesday's is-no took place in Latimer square on Thursday afternoon in the presence of a large number of the general public, who _ appeared to take great interest in the proceedings. The members of the various companies mustered at 4 p.m., and immediately after the engine had been examined by the appointed judge, Captain W. R. Mitchell, to ecu that oil competitors had an equally fair start, the competition commenced. The work that had to be (jione by etch member was—square and look

the fore carriage, extend the levers on the near side, take from near side box one length of suction hose and strainer, and attach to the engine, extend the lovers on the off side, unlock levers, put on one 50ft. length of delivery hose with the branch pipe, the whole to be key tight. E tch man had to do the work three times, and the one making the best time twice out of the three times, took first prize. The following are the names of the competitors and their time : __ ~S I a IsfeS* I I I 12-3 1 If Competitors. £ r-H Ol CO -i-3 . sec. sec. sec. sec. i E. Ashby ... tG 13 15 88 | DroaclI nought W. Johnston ...171-5 58 3-5 16 2-5 93 3-5 Deluge D. Brown ... 18 2-5 19 3-5 t 7 9a 2-5 Pioneer W. Hiscokc ... tD 2-5 56 1-5 t 897 2-5 Dreadnought P. M. Johnston 50 53 2-5 19 2-5 99 2-5 Deluge A. P. Pillow ...51 54 19 2-5 100 2-5 Droad- ; naught J. Anderson ...57 53 52 4-5105 4-5 Dread - I nought E. Smith 55 54 53 3-6 106 3-5 Dreadnought W, Ashby ...GO 58 3-5 53 2-51112 ] DreadI I I nought Surprise was expressed at the smartness of the work throughout by all the men, the quickest time being 43 seconds, and the average for the winning man 44 seconds, and the second man’s average was 46.} seconds. His Worship the Mayor acted as timekeeper, and gave great satisfaction by the interest he took in the whole proceedings. To close the competition, Mr Superintendent Harris addressed his Worship the Mayor and Captain W. R. Mitchell, thanking them most heartily for their services as judge and timekeeper, explaining that the reason of the competition taking place on that day was in consequence of its being the eighteenth anniversary of the brigade’s formation. Three hearty cheers wore given for his Worship the Mayor and Captain W. R. Mitchell, The prizes were presented to the winners as follows : First prize, brauchman, E. Ashby ; second do, engineer, W. Johnston ; third do, fireman, D. Brown.

His Worship then addressed the members, congratulating them on the smoothness of their work and the excellent time made, stating his belief that such competitions tended greatly to their efficiency, and expressed his willingness to give a cup for a similar competition to take place at such a time as might be agreed on, the cup to be won twice by the same member before becoming his private property. It was explained to his Worship that several other members had intended to compete, bub were prevented through being engaged in preparing implements for the show on the following days. The members then proceeded to the Lichfield street station, and a general meeting was held to discuss the best mode of entertaining the visiting brigades on the Anniversary Day. After a lengthy discussion, it was resolved not to detain visiting brigades more than one day. It was suggested that they should be entertained at a breakfast at 10 a m., and adjourn to the popular sports at 1 p.m. The torchlight procession to take place at 9 p.m. It was thought that the representatives might remain until the following day, when a conference should take place at 11 a.m. to consider any matters of interest to the brigades in New Zealand. It was proposed that the various brigades should elect representatives in the following manner :—Brigades of twenty members and under, one representative, and an additional representative for every complete ten above that number. These resolutions were handed to a committee to carry out, and the meeting adjourned.