UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1929, Page 6

UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION

YESTERDAY’S DOINGS. The weather was again all that could bo desired yesterday for the continuation of tlic programme in connection with ’the visit of the 450 firemen attending the gathering of the Fire brigades’ Association. The picnic to Lake Mahiuapua. was the special event, and it was a pronounced success. Over 1000 people went by excursion train in the forenoon, followed by some hundreds in the ordinary afternoon train. In addition many went by boat, and a considerable number by car. There was thus a great gathering at the popular picnic resort. The committee of management had prepared well for the entertainment of their guests. Immediately on arrival tiie uittiring ladies’ committee went to work, and having everything in readiness, was soon dispensing refreshments at the buffet which had been improvised by the advance guard under Air H. Stapleton. There was a. plentiful supply of comestibles and the cup that cheers was there in plenty also. Hot water was supplied to the visiting picnic parties. The whole arrangements worked admirably. Luncheon was served while there "as a demand, and then at 4 o’clock afternoon tea was provided. Meantime an energetic sports committee of whom Messrs R. Lynn and G. Adamson appeared to be the moving spirits, with the help of several committeemen. set the snorts programme going. The visitors entered into the fun of the. gymkana event-, and splendid sport was provided, Some of the racing events were keenly contested. The most popular win of the day appeared to he that of the lady chairwoman. The North Island won the tug-o’-war alter a spirited pull. There was much diversion over the game of football, the players being in sacks. Altogether the sports programme was pronounced a great success. The fun never lagged while events were in motion.

The acquatic events did not transpire to schedule, nor to programme, 'mere were six speed boats flitting about after a 'late arrival, but when it came to a try-out on the course set, the lowness of the lake and the weed growth caused propel lor trouble, and the boats were hampered greatly. “Playmate” won the only event contested. Some splendid turns of speed were shown by the boats in the clear water. Mr J. N. Robinson’s Pit-a-Pat, the champion boat which excelled recently at Akaroa, developed great speed. Mr L. Gooch's recent purchase also showed very high speed. The two boats appeared to be just skimming the water with the velocity of seaplanes. It will be a great sight to see these two boats fighting out a finish on a clear course.

The Municipal Band was as usual to the fore and rendered a programme of music! both at the snorts ground and later at the lake side. The knolls -overlooking the lake were fine vantage points for watching the manoeuvring of the speed boats and scores climbed to the top of the fern clad hillocks. Tiie bush track from the railway line to the lakeside was admired greatly !>v the visitors. Small parties of friends picnicked at the side of the track, securing a sylvan nook for pleasantretreat. The camera fiends were operating in all directions, while games of* various kinds wore in progress for the diversion of the adults, and for young and old alike ice creams were to he had in plenty. It was a gay and liapo throng which boarded the train about five o’clock, and as one of tiie visitors sung. “Tiie More We Are Together, the Happier We’ll Bo,” seemed to hit off the picture, for all seemed do he on the •;est of terms with each other, and all were returning after a most enjoyable outing. The following "ore the sports results:— ; 100yds. Firemen’s Race: Ist. heat - Carter 1, Waterman 2nd; 2nd. heat— Bradley 1, Mead 2; 3rd. heat—Marshall 1. McNeil 2; 4th. heat—Steel 1. Butcher 2; final—Bradley 1. Waterman 2. Ladies’ Race: Ist. heat—Mrs Turner j, Mrs Christenson 2; 2nd. heat—Airs Cunningham 1, Airs Swenov 2: final— Mrs Swenoy 1, Mrs Cunningham 2. Belay Race:—East own Brigade 1, Wliangarci Brigade 2. Firemen’s Sack Race: Ist. heat— Grey 1, Bradley 2; 2nd. heat- West 1, Vincent 2; filial—Grey J. Bradley 2. Ladies' Sack Race: Ist. heat- .Miss King 1, Miss Gooch 2; 2nd. heal-—Miss Cooper 1, Miss Sweeney 2; filial—Miss King and Miss Cooper (dead heat).

Bandsmen's Race: Ist. heat—Haine 1. Uhibbs and Roberts (dead heat) ?: 2nd. heat—Stevenson I, Boss 2; filial— Pnibhs I.

Single Ladies Race: Ist. heat—Miss King 1, Miss Dowell 2; 2nd. heat— Miss O. Stapleton 1. Miss A. Stapleton 2; filial—Miss l)o"ell 1, Miss King Tug-o’-War :—North Island. Seven-aside Football Match, played in sacks between North and South Islands resulted in a draw. Speedboat Race:—Playmate 1. EVEN!XG’S ENTERTAINMENT Livsf niglit tin’ rKiting firemen were the guests of the local coniinittee at Everybody’s Pictures, and a jolly time was passed enjoying a good programme. An impromptu dance presided.over by tiie Black Hand Orchestra "as held in the Soldiers’ Hall, and was a very crowded function again. The orchestra was augmented for the occasion, and its effect on the dancers was a continuous demand for “more,” encores being the order of the evening. Tli Rotorua team created a diversion

by presenting a haka. after true native fashion. The ladies’ committee : still untired, and with an inexhaustible lar- 1 tier apparently, provided supper. The dance was a very happy ending to a very pleasnt day, memorable in particular for the ideal outing to Lake Mahinapua. TO-DAY’S DOINGS. tlic Competitions opened this morning and will continue to-morrow, and conclude on Saturday. To-night there will be the Ann Duff benefit entertainment at the Princess Theatre. To-morrow night there will be community singing and dancing on the green at Cass Square. JUBILEE DEMONSTRATIONS. CASS SQUARE, HOKITIKA. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28th. The United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand Jubilee Demonstration was commenced on Cass Square at 9.30 ' o’clock, sixty-tlncc Brigades competing. There was a perfect morning for the commencement of the Competition and Cass Square was in good order, with a capital water pressure in the main from the Hokitika Borough water supply. The general arrangements were complete, the Executive of the Fire Brigades Association having charge of the operations. Three events were commenced and run off at the same time the conditions and arrangements being quite satisfactory, and the various runs were taking place promptly. FIRST EVENT. CiLBERD MEMORIAL—ONE MAN COUPLING. Man dressed in shirt and trousers, with cover, to be lying on a stretehei 10 yards in rear of plug. At signal from starter, to get up and dress, putting on tunic (of which four buttons must be fastened), boots, helmet, belt (end of which must be in keeper), and spanner. Run 10 yards, ship standpipe, unstrap and couple to standpipe 50ft of coiled horse, run out hose and connect 50ft to each delivery or union, run out both lengths, fix branches, and finish 5 yards in front of branches. Hose to be coiled, male coupling in centre; one 'branch to bo lying on side of coil in front of plug, the other branch to be lying on side of union 50 feet in front of standpipe; one delivery of standpipe and union to be capped. First prize, £4; second £3; third, £2; fourth, £l. Total £lO.

LEADING TEAMS. First Event (16 teams gone).— Addington Railway 1.5 4-5 (3 sees, penalty), 1.8 -1-5. Gore 1.14. •!' SECOND EVENT. TWO-MEN HOSE AND STANDPIPE EYENT. Two men to run 10 yards, pick up standpipe, one branch, .and two 5011. lengths of wet hose, coiled on the bight and properly strapped, run 25 yards to plug, ship standpipe, run out and connect one 50ft length of hose, fix branch and strike disc with water through 100 feet length. Time to be taken from start until second water strikes disc. First prize, £7; second £5; third, £3; fourth, £2. Total £l7. Second Event (17 teams). — Petone 37 2-5 secs. Greymouth and Pukekohe 43 3-5 secs equal.. THIRD EVENT. FIVE-MEN HOSE, REEL AND LADDER EVENT (MODERN). Five men to stand 10 yards behind reel placed 40 yards in front of plug; run with p- 1 to a mark .100 feet from pi-- nil, I’ OOft of hose (with branch attached), lake reel to plug, ship .aai.dpipe. connect 1.00 feet to stamlpie, and ‘.t-’ke disc’with water; return -'ib reel to 94 feet mark, run out oili't. oi Im.-c, disconnect branch connect 50ft to first lead, fix branch, raise and extend ladder and take lead up ladder to platform and strike disc. Reel to pass a mark 94 feet from plug before last coupling is broken. Extension ladder to be lying with heel U feet from irout of platform. Time to be taken when water strikes disc on platform. Heel to carry 200 feet of hose made up in one continuous length, male coupling out. one standpipe, and one branch. Draw for places on the mark.' When team is on the mark ready to start, the officials will draw numbers for each member of the team. No 4 to be standpipema.il. When numbers are drawn and men placed on the mark in position, the men will be handed over to the starter. Any member of a team wilfully evading the draw will be liable to have the team disqualified. Standpipe not to be taken off the reel until williin 10 yards of plug. No 4 to be in his position at finish. No. 1 in tongue on right; No 2 in tongue on left; No 0 in rear on right; No 4 in rear according to placing of standpipe; No 5 ill centre at rear. Gear must not be touched after the draw has taken place. First prize. £ls; second, £10; third. £(j; fourth, £3. Total. £34. Third Event- (11 teams).— Hawera 41 1-5 sees. Te Kuiti 45 sees. Addington Railway 45 secs. Hokitika did not finish