NELSON FIRE BRIGADE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 231, 27 September 1872, Page 2

NELSON FIRE BRIGADE.

The Brigade's anniversary dinner took .place at the Trafalgar Hotel last night, about fifty being present. 'J he chair was taken by Mr. H. Adams, the Deputy Superintendent* The dinner was served up in Mr. Disher's best style',- and it is therefora quite unnecessary to say that it was" sin excellent one. On the cloth being "removed, the usual loyal toasts were proposed and heartily responded to, after which " : , ' : '■■■• The Chairman proposed " Success to the Nelson Fire Brigade," and in doing so spoke in high terms of their efficiency, and the promptitude with which they always turned out and took their places on the alarm being- sounded. In order to arrive at such a state of efficiency it was clear tlwt they must have given up a deal of their time to drill and practice, and for this the public were greatly indebted to them. r Capt^ Wehsett returned thanks, and' said that fortunately there had of late been but little for tae Brigade to do, hut that little^ he thought he might fairly say, had always, been done well. He suggested the formation of a Fire Police, who might render very useful assistance to the Brigade by keepiog the crowd back at a fire, thus leaving them plenty of room in which to do their work. Mr. Cooksey said that a very pleasing :duty had been allotted to him, namely, that of presenting to Mr John Wigzell, their hon. secretary, a small testimonial in recognition of the valued services he had in that capacity rendered to the Brigade for a period of pix years. He could ha.ye wished that the gift had been a more handsome one, but, small though it was, it was : offered with the very best of feelings, us a proof of which he might, state that it was the unanimous wish of ihe Brigade that some such presentation might be made to one whose services they valued ' so highly. The Chairman had spoken of the time devoted by the firemen to their drills and practices, but in addition to this there were numerous business meetings, at all of which Mr. Wjgzell regularly attended, and performed the, duties he had undertaken' in a manner that: re-' fleeted the highest .credit; upon. him. ; He also ■ proved, of great. s.irvice by the .quiet influence, tbat} he exercised, and it had frequently been .noticed that at any meeting at which. there was a i?ant r of ; unanimity among the members, the difficulties 1 that had arisen were quietly "smoothed' away; l>y a few words from their .Secretary. lie. trusted , that, in after time, the present that he was.then to . receive would prove a source of pleasureito;him,!as,> he could s ; how it, to his children a,B.' a'.! proof -thiijjj he had in his time done his Ijlu'ty Veil,, apd. that his performance of it hadj^beenr^ppr'epiated'.byithose among whom he worked. "..' ,■ . * . ,•'■/ '.... ..'.,- Mil. Cooksey' then presented Mr. Wigzell, with- ; the testimonial, which consisted of.a; handsome)' clock, into ; the base of which was inserted ttsil'yer,', plate, with the following inscription';:— : , , : \ [".'■■ \' r \] "Presented to J. W. WigzelL byothei .Nelson'/ Volunteer Fire Brigade," as- a tokeri'of their t respect an d esteem for; havirig> faithfully ful- "' ;:,;■ filled , t th"e duties of; Hon. Secretary:for- : sixn years.' "'•::> "o ' r-r.-.s 26th September, 1872," - •■ '| : «f«j .cVi

Mr. WibzEti-'s health having "; been arub^'he" rose to retwrn thanks for the handspnie jpresent, j ust made to 'himi.' : r 1-Te ' VaS only foo'gMcf io $&• c lieve that Mr. Cbdkifey 'lnUf giveii expression to the unanimous feeling of the Brigade towards him. He thought. .the ; niQre ,p^ thej gift because it was not purchased" ■with the ■"'public funds at the disposal of the.Brigade,.but that, the money for it> had<36irie~oiit of : tbTe-p'o,cketß : Cjf ;Jt^eipjßnSt|er'BJ fi Sb' long as he r held i/ th'e- position : Bf 'Secretary lie should endeavor to do hi"B r duty, ane he could not but^eebprdadand gladfon^ndirig the hlghfestwW' in which he was held,.,^r „..', . „ ' •:„ » The '' Auxiliary ; lJnga ! de ? Araß then proposed by Captain Wimsexxj anH^fegponded to by Mr, ■pjU2BAEbv.v.' IM .y.^i-: yB . i- ; ?^.£\T ' 7v ' • € : % '-'.•■' ■•■••' : Mr. }?ra^r^)|oJ§djt|Le/ f |nsttra^|e Oonj^ajaies " and in dwg.'ro:Vca^ked~'npl>n\the'fact of lheir \^g.!^^t\j^^^^ij^o^i% .{evening,

the Imperial and South British being th.' only two that had cwra^to tend representativts. Jle thoutthMh«fc tlig^ll^k or tb<?ir deputies sJ^Mj^. £i!i|!£e WS^e^ng these gathering^iffl 4 rcn»rkldg|haf ''ix'^pi^P'ecl well for the SJosu|| \B^t|sh,^^,l;, nltl|}u^^ne latest in the iield)#h^ rmd show^i thacHßey took an interest in " the Mr. Bullick and Mr. PiiEci" returned thanks, the former saying that he Avas «uthoiis?d to s'.ate that tlie^ou,th'Bri i ti6li,.'Wliich he represented, was--quite prepared l tb : bear its 1 share in -contribdtSug to the funds, of the Brigade. The " Town and Trade of Nelson " was proposed by Mr. AKicijsi'aN und replied to by Mr. DOBSON. Mr. Maci-e-vn proposed,, and , Mr,, Tuner returned thank's for,' 1 ' Tiie Board of Work?." Mr. Peucy proposed" " The Press, 3 ' and Mr. Elliot! 'responded. ' " "7 Rumer'ous other toasts were druuk.'jxnd several very excellent songs, snug, which wore: greatly assisted by. Mr.-, .Oabey's accompaniments; on. the piano. Altogether, ; a most pleasaut evening was ppent and the party broke up iat an eariy .lirnr this iiinrmng-, with a. very general feeling- that th,e whole affair had passed off' mqEt;satisfactori)y. ;