THE FIRE BRIGADE PLANT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2397, 8 May 1884, Page 2

THE FIRE BRIGADE PLANT.

CHRISTENING THE NEW ENGINE,

According to invitation from his Worship the Mayor (Denis Hannan, Esq.), several members of the Borough. Council met the members of the Kumara Volunteer Fire Brigade at 8 o'clock last evening, at the new engine-shed, for the purpose of handing over to the Brigade from the Borough Council the new fire-engine which has lately been imported from London, the shed, the hose, and all the plant in connection therewith. Of Councillors present we noticed Messrs Burger, Home, Nicholson, Rudkin, Davies, Ziegler, and the Town Clerk (Mr A. Skilton). The members of the Fire Brigade present were Captain Dove, Lieutenant M'EweD, Foreman Brayshaw, Treasurer Greenwood, Secretary Close, Firemen J. Hannah, C. Sumsion, G. Anderson, W. Schulstad, C. Murtha, J. Martha, F. Smith, G. Orams, M. Geraghty, and honorary member J. Valentine.

A large number of spectators assembled at the door of the shed notwithstanding the unpropituons weather, for it was known that the ceremony of christening the engine was to be performed, and the presence of the eldest of his Worship the Mayor's daughters, Miss Mary Hannan, accompanied by her sister Miss Fanny Hannan, led reason to suppose that the fair lady was present for that interesting purpose. It was whispered that the firebell ought to be rung out for such an important occrsion, but in the absence of any previous notice, wiser counsel prevailed, and the tongue of the bell was dumb—as most would say, May it ever be!

Shortly after the appointed hour, Miss Hannan, who was conducted by her father on to a dais in the shed at the rear of the engine, said, in a clear and distinct voice : " On behalf of the citizens of Kumara, I name this fire engine Victoria;" and, in breaking the orthodox bottle of champagne against the engine, added " God speed Victoria !"

Three cheers were then given for her Majesty " Queen Victoria." His Worship the Mayor then addressed the company. He said : Ladies and gentlemen—lt is sn old adage that " There is nothing new under the sun;" but he knew well that all those present would agree with him that there was something very significant in the name that had just been given to the fireengine. Victoria was a name revered and respected the world over; nay, in the most rebellious part of her Majesty's dominions, when the conflict is at its height between those who do not believe in her Majesty's Government or the law they administer, the name of the Queen dare not in the presence of her rebellious subjects be spoken of other than with respect.—[Applause.] He hoped that her Majesty would outlive the engine ; but if his hopes were not realised and the eugine were in use after the Queen had passed away, the citizens of Kumara would possess a memento of the name of a great and good lady, her Majesty Queen Victoria. Those were the reasons why he instructed Miss Hannan to use that name. He was glad to observe that from the ringing cheers that greeted the christening that the choice of the name was approved of. "With reference to the engine itself he would say that the Borough Council, in order to supply the Kumara Volunteer Fire Brigade with better means to cope with fires, had strained a point by leaving other necessary works undone in order to purchase this fire engine now before them; also, binding the eugine shed and water tank? now in course of construction. Still, the Council did all. this heartily, believing it to be in the best interests of the ratepayers in the long run, and that as good material to man and work such an engine existed in the Kumara Fire Brigade as could be found anywhere. [Hear, hear.] Tfc might be said, Why this christening ai a itli. this fuss in such a small nine as tin.: ; And he might reply, Why should not too citizens of Kumara unci the Kumar;!. Fire Brigade possess an equal amount of inherent feeling and manliness to those persons composing the Corporation of London and their metrooolita>\ brigades'? There was no reason whv we should not, in proportion to <v,iV means, be as cheerful over our lit!in engine as if we were in a bm.<e city p ssassed of larger houses an,l i< p .\\v' ; r,.; s;eairsei)";i!■,.->. !!;■ \\ , vO , \ , i., 11! , v . ilrnt the meu)bc.a , .. ..;, afa L ? ua -

Brigade -would work as hard anyhow, and were possessed of equal emulation to any kindred body.—[Applause.] Now the principal duty of the evening devolved upon him—that was to hand over the engine "Victoria," together with the engine house and other apparatus, to Captain Dove and his Brigade, iu trust for the Kumara Borough Council; and he hoped that the members of the brigade would be many years banded together iu as efficient a manner as they appeared before him that evening, to man and use her; and also that if by any chance they would at some future time (which he hoped would never come) find it necessary to disband, he trusted they would return the property to the Borough Council with as cordial a good feeling as he, on behalf of the Council, handed it over to the brigade.—[Loud cheers.] The Mayor then handed the key of the engine shed to Captain Dove. Captain Dove replied by saying that on behalf of the Brigade he returned thanks to the Mayor and Council for the apparatus. So long as the Brigade ■worked together as they do now, he had no doubt all the hopes expressed by his Worship the Mayor would be realised.—[Applause.] Three cheers each were then given for the " Borough Couucil" and " The Press;" and then the Mayor invited the Brigade, on behalf the Council, to adjourn to the Town Hall, where they might, with the Councillors present, drink success to " Victoria." This course was pursued, and, after interchange of many compliments and convivialities between the Council and Brigade members, the proceedings terminated.