FIRE BRIGADE COMPETITION.

Kumara Times, Issue 2708, 27 May 1885, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE COMPETITION.

GREYMOUTH V. KUMARA. The first Fire Brigade competition which has ever been held in Kumara took place on Monday last. From what has already appeared in these columns it is well known that shortly after the Fire Brigades Demonstration in Dunedin at Christmas, the Kumara Fire Brigade sent friendly challenges to Hokitika and Greymouth to have a triangular match in Kumara on the day of celebrating the Queen’s Birthday. Both challenges were accepted, but for some cause of which we are still in ignorance Hokitika withdrew from the contest. The Greymouth team arrived on Sunday, and on Monday morning had a little single-handed practice. The day was showery and cold; but the respective teams took to their work well, all the same. The Greymouth Fire Brigade was represented by Mesrrs M'Gregor (Captain), Steel, Davis, Brimble, Stevens, King, Goodall, Martin, Aldridge, and Tanner. The Kumara Fire Brigade was represented by Messrs Brayshaw (Captain of the team), Schulstad, Smith, Coutts, M'Mahon, Greenwood, M'Ewen, and G. Anderson. The Captains of the respective Fire Brigades, Messrs M‘Gregor and Burger, were chosen to act as Jadges; and they also acted as timekeepers, with Mr W. Barnett, three stop-watches being used for the purpose. It was agreed that the Kumara team should compete first, being more familiar with the engine and gear. The competitions commenced shortly after one o’clock. A piece of rope, ten feet high from the ground, was put across Seddon street, between Burger’s, tobacconist, and Manson’s late shop. The engine was brought out and placed near the dam opposite the Fire Brigade station. The hose and reel were placed nearly opposite the European Hotel (100 yards away). The following penalties were arranged : For each thing totally omitted, 10 seconds ; for each thing not handtight, 10 seconds; for each coupling not spanner-tight, 2 seconds; for each complete twist in hose, 1 second; for each loose ring on levers, 1 second. Nothing to be touched after time has been called, or forfeit 20 seconds The following is the first event, with the result I.—Engine Competition, for Eight Men.—Run 10 yards; pick up reel, run 100 yards with same to engine, connect and run out 200 feet of hose, fix union and run out 50 feet of hose from each delivery of same; fix branches; connect two lengths of suction hose, strainer being previously attached; turn over, secure, and unlock levers, lock fore-carriage, pump and show water over rope stretched at height of 10 feet. All couplings to bs spanner-tight. Reel to carry 400 fert of hose, branches, and union. Hose to be wet to commence with, and coupled, but not tight. Time to be from start to last water over rope.—Prize, £4, Min. Secs. Kumara team ... 1 32| Greymouth team ... 2 0 It was generally thought that the Grey team would win this event, being time at the engine, for the work is very severe and requires endurance as well as dexterity ; moreover five or six heavier men, and likely to make good men had to do the work which an engine properly manned takes twenty. The next event was the 2-—Hook and Ladder Competition, for Eight Men.—Carriage to be 100 yards from building; run 10 yards to carriage, take same to line opposite building; remove and couple ladders, and raise same to building; ladder to be propeily manned with eight men, in the following order—one on parapet, five on ladder, and two at foot of ladder; bucket, of water to be passed up ladder. A bucket previously tilled with water to be ready for use at foot of ladder,

First water thrown on roof to count time.—Prize, £4. Seconds. Grey mouth team ... 51 Kumara team 52£ 3,—Engine Competition, for One Man, Open to all Members of Teams, including the Emergency Men. Competitor to start 20 yards from engine, dressed in full working uniform; lock fore carriage, turn over and secure levers, and unlock same; connect one length suction-hose to engine, strainer being previously attached ; connect and run out 50 feet of hose (said hose to be rolled up in manner optional to competitor), but no other appliances than the band must be used, and on no account hose to be thrown out; fix branch and stand (branch in band). Spanner to be carried, not thrown. Hose and branch to be in box of engine, and suction-hose in side pocket. Quickest time to be the winner—Prizes, first, £1; second, 12s 6d; third, 7s 6d. This event was competed for during heavy showers of rain, till dark, resulting as follows: m. s. Smith, Kumara, Ist prize ... 0 47£ Greenwood, Kumara, 2nd prize 0 Hannah, Kumara, 3rd prize... 0 59£ Braysfaaw, Kumara 1 0 Brimble, Greymouth... ... 1 3 Tanner, Greymouth 1 5 Stevens, Greymouth ... ... 1 8£ Coutts, Kumara ... ... 1 Martin, Greymouth 1 8£ Goodall, Greymouth ... ... 1 11| Aldridge, Greymouth ... 1 13f King, Greymouth ... ... 1 14| M'Mabon, Kumara ... ... 1 18J Stell, Greymouth ... ... 1 20 When it had become so dark that it was useless for any more to compete, the respective teams betook themselves with their captains to the Engine Station, where Captain Barger, on behalf of the judges formally declared the results. He was very happy to say that the competitions had been gone through without a single hitch, and the judges had not found it necessary to call in a referee at any time. Captain M'Gregor, for the Greymouth team, thanked the Kumara Captain and Brigade for the kind way in which they as the visiting team had been treated ; and stated that if ever it should be their pleasure, which he hoped it would be soon, that a Kumara team came to Greymouth, they would receive similar treatment at the hands of the Greymouth Fire Brigade, of which he had the honour of being captain for some years. He would take this opportunity of expressing his regret that the Hokitika Fire Brigade had not seen their way clear to send a team to this day’s competition, as it had been a long time spoken of. Hokitika and Greymouth had twice met, and each had won the matches contested with their own engines and on their own ground; so that it had always been in contemplation since, that when the new engine arrived at Kumara, that would be the time for the teams mentioned to try conclusions, with strange materials on neutral ground. Hence the arrangements for this triangular competition. Captain M'Gregor then presented Captain Burger, for the Kumara Fire Brigade, a handsome lithographic picture representing the Greymouth Fire Brigade Station, the members of the Brigade in uniform, with all their plant and material; very elaborately framed. He concluded by proposing three cheers for Captain Burger. This was heartily responded to, those assembled joining in vociferously. Captain Burger, thanked Captain M‘Gregor and his Brigade for the hearty manner in which they had responded to the proposal of cheers, and also for the way they had accepted the challenge from Kumara, which had been carried out at great inconvenience to themselves. Of course the trip was probably not so interesting to them as it would have been had a Hokitika team joined in the competition, as was intended. He assured them it was no fault of the Kumara Brigade that Hokitika was not represented, as it was months ago since Kumara sent Hokitika a challenge, which was accepted, and not withdrawn until only very recently, to the great annoyance, as they are now aware, of both Grey, mouth and Kumara. However, they had tried their best to make the affair a success between the two teams; and if there were any shortcomings on their side, he hoped the visitors would overlook them, as they were but a young brigade, and not up to all the c ist-iron rules of older and more experienced b/igades. He thanked the Greymouth Captain and Brigade for the handsome present made, which had come unex-

pectedly. It would be a lasting memento of their visit to Kumara. He concluded by proposing three cheers for Captain M‘Gregor and the Greymouth team. This also was loudly and heartily responded to by all present. Captain M'Gregor said that before parting he could not help making mention of the extreme smartness of Foreman Smith, of the Kurnara team, who in the single-handed competition had he believed made the quickest time on record. The Captain and team were invited to the fancy dress ball in the evening and most, if not all, availed themselves of the invitation.