FIRE BRIGADE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 318, 25 September 1874, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE

DEMO N\yß A T I O N. half-past six last night the members of the Central Brigade mustered at the Engine House, and, accompanied by the Artillery Company and headed by the band, marched to the port, where they were joined by the Auxiliary Brigade. Torches were served out to the two brigades, and having been lighted, a procession was formed, ani they marched back to town still accompanied by the Artillery and band. The effect of the torches was somewhat . marred by the brilliancv of the moon, but it was a pretty siijbt as the procession wended its way along the port road, the light of tbe torches flashing on the brass helmets of the brigade, and glistening upon the bayonets of the Artillery. 'Crowds of people thronged the port road, especially near the Post Office, where the procession turned up Waimea-street, and proceeded thence down Hardy, Collingwood, and Bridge-streets, and then up Trafelgarstreet to the Masonic Hall, where the dinner was to take place. Here the ranks were opened, the torches still throwing their lurid light around, and rendering visible the Church Hill, where a large number of persons had assembled to witness the novel sight. In a few minutes the signal was given that the Governor was approaching, and blue lights were then burnt, the Artillery presented arms, and the band struck up the National Anthem. His Excellency, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, the Mayor, the Bishop, and several others, walked up the illuminated lane that had been formed through the crowd and entered tbe Hall, where preparations had been made for THE DINNER. The most had been, made of the room available in -the Hall, a horseshoe table having been laid ont so as .td accommodate the greatest possible numrjfr .of *diners. The members of the b-igade anoMheir visitors having been shown to their seats, the doors of tbe ante-room were tirown open and his Excellency the Governor and aide-de-camp, Captain Simpson, 8.N., his Honor the Superintendent, his Worship tbo Mayor, the Bishop of Nelson, the members of the Executive, and others entered the room, the band playing the National Anthem, and the company standing. Tbe chair was taken by tbe Superintendent, and the vice-chair by the Mayor. In a short time all had taken their seats, and an excellent dinner, prepared in Mr Tregea's best etyle, was placed on the table. Tbat it was done ample justice to by tbe hundred or so who partook of it heeds not to be recorded here. After the cloth was removed, the usual loyal tdasts were praposed and drunk with all the honors. The Chairman then proposed the health of his Excellency the Governor. Hewasatraid v the p'eaaure they would all. feel ia drinking h|s Excellency's health would be to some extent lessened by the fact that he was soon abbot to leave the colony, but they might feel sure that in Sir James Firgusson, who during bis brief stay in New Zealand had visited all parts of it, and made himself acquainted with its resources and its wants, they woulcL&ave a powerful advocate at home, one who wonld disabuse the minds of the people of England of many of the erroneous ideas they, entertained with respect to the colony, and give them much useful information with regard to its capabilities as a field for settlement. He felt 'certain that his Excellency would be as willing as he-was able to exert himself in advancing the interests of the nolony be was so soon abort to leave. He bad great pleasure in proposing the health of his Excellency the Governor. The toast having been drank with great enthusiasm His Excellency said t Mr Chairman and gentleman, lam exceedingly obliged to you for the kind and hearty manner in which you have drank my health, I have ifelt very great pleasure in availing myself of the kind invitation I received to be present this evening, for I was led to understand tbat I was not only to meet the members of the Fire Brigade, in itself a very comprehensive body, but that I was to be brought in .contact at their hospitable board with;' many of the leading citizens of Nelson. I have some Jittle diffidence in appearing before yon, running away as I am. from the colony at so early a period, of my lenure of office, and 1 feel that, under the circumstances, 'the reception you have given me is still more kind on your part, showing rae, as it does,.thalS you do not think me unworthy of the kindness that has always been displayed towards the Governors of New Zealand's Jfour Superintendent does me no more than justice in believing that, although J have not deemed it my duty to remain

amongst you, I shall alway s.take a deep and earnest interest in. aIV that belongs to New Zealand. I have never yet met the man who had visited the colony who was not delighted with it It has so many natural advantages i and has produced ao beneficial an effect upon Jhose who have made it their home, that none can visit it and be brought in contact with its people without wishing to return to it. The mother country may well look forward to the future of this portion of it3 poseesions with a feeling of pride, for undoubtedly it is a mpst interesting country, possessing an infinity of resources and springs of life in every quarter and in every respect. I shall certainly carry away with me the feeling that I have a debt to pay to New Zealand to make up for the services I have not rendered to it, and, strong as you are, I hope you will feel that I may be of some service to you at home, for I can assure you that whatever abilities I may have shall be dedicated to advancing your welfare. (Loud cheera.) Tho Superintendent remarked tbat considerable ignorance prevailed at home with regard to the Australian portion of the British dominions, and I fear that he is right in saying so. Indeed, I myself, when appointed to a Governorship in the Australian colonies, was ignorant of the geographical position of the place to which I waa going! It waa not considered necessary that a man of education should be acquainted with thia portion of her ' Majesty's possessions, and among the working classes there was, strange as it may serm in a maritime nation, a dread of crossing the sea. However, this state of things is now passing away, and the colonies are much better known than they were. Intelligent travellers have visited them, and placed on record their impressions in books and newspapers, and new comers have written home' glowing accounts of the facilities for families obtaining employment, and thus many of the prejudices that existed are gradually being removed. You have too, liberal and intelligent arrangements for directing a stream of emigrants to your shores, and this, combined with the undoubted improvement from a physical point of view that people attain in New Zealand, will make you well and favorably known in Great Britain. (Cheers.) But this is not an occasion for further remarks of this kind. I look upon pur meeting to-night as being one of a convivial rathtr than a political character. I can assure you that I bave great pleasure in being the guest of a corps so honorable as that I see around me. Fire Brjgadea occupy a prominent position both in England and the colonies from their great usefulness. It other volunteer bodies are not always success--ful, it is probably owing to the fact tbat the piping times of peace in which we live are fatal to the martial ardour that would otherwise exist, but you, gentlemen, have always a dangerous foe at hand, with whom you may be called upon to grapple at any moment. It "Is gratifying to me to know that in Nelson all the^plunteers keep np their efficiency and are nat content merely to wear an honorable uni-bra. and you, gentlemen of the Fire Brigade^in particular, are so efficient that I fear km must cause a depression in the ouildinW trade. In another town where I have been, tnat height of efficiency has not been attained In Auckland the outbreak and successful prowess of fires were remarkab e. I used sometimes to think that the citizens were determined to bulll a town of unparalle'ed magnificence, and had consequently entered into/ a combination, with other authorities that tbtre should altuys be a fire.- 'On Sntfrjays the churches wets lrequently emptied by the ringing of the\ firebell; at night, people were constantly turned out of thiir beds by the same sound, and pyrctechnical displays on a large s^ale were common occurren-ei. Numbers of people would soon be present at the scene of the fire and devote their uimost energies to pumping upon the blazing buildings, but unfortunately, as a rule, there Wduld be no water at the other end of the hose. I have seen my friend Captain Simpson turn nut with his men from the Blanche and offer to pull down a house to prevent the spread of a fire, but there was always some objection raised to such a proceeding, as the people appeared to prefer seeing a dnzen houses b irnt to one removed. But it wa3 all gocd for trade ; working men found constant employment; the ia\ surante offices were well patronised, for no fine felt safe; and nobody teemed to be hurt, while plenty of building was always going on> Indeed, the arrangements for the spread of fires appeared to be productive of all thn v objects tbat could be desired, (Laughter.) In Nelson you appear to go upon another tack. Yon are content to retain yVir dweliingaas they Hre, and, judging from toe popularity^ the Fire Brigade, I should Aagine that the** people are not desiroud ajj having their houses destroyed merely for the sake of erecting new one** If, at any time, the building trade should sink into too low a state of despondency, you can easily alter yourjarrangements so as to satisfy all reasonable expectations. I sincerely hope, however, that you may long retain your efficiency. I again thank you for the kind reception accorded to me both outside an 1 inside this building. I assure you thit I shall Ion? retain the most agreeable recollections of my visits to Nelson, which I regard »s one of the most enjoyable spots in New... Zealand, if not in any other country, (Loud and continued cheering.) The Chaxbhan proposed the health of the Navy, Army, and Volunteers. Captain Simpson, in returning thanks, said : I was just about to rise to thank you when tbe Cbairmxn whisperel to me, 'and for the Army and Volunteers also." To use a nautical expression, I was somewha- " taken aback," for I felt that my responsibilities were trebled. But we are all of the sume profession, and Idofeel, and all of my profession feel a pri ie in returning thanks for ,abe navy. We feel proud ot the past history and the present position of the British navy, the most powerful as it ia in the world. Many causes have conduced to this, but there are two in particular, namely, discipline and organisation. In the present day people are inclined to think that individual intelligence is all that is required, but there cau be no greater mistake, for it is absolutely necessiry to the successful carrying out of any great work that there should t e discipline, organisation, and strict obedience to commands, and I feel sure that to these are owing the power and position of the aTmy and navy. (Cheer?.) His Excellency hss referred to my taking some of my men on shore at Auckland when there was a fire, and I then observed bow mnch more real work could be idone by a dozen men well organised than by a hundred, each of whom wag acting on his own account I am very glad to believe that the Nelson Fire Brigade is a well disciplined body of men, for bad it not been so, it could never have attained its present state of efficiency, (t'heers.) I may perhaps, be considered p-esumptuous for speaking io tbis way, but on tho other h-tnd, I cannot think that anyone' would object to the British navy being held out ftf an exanrvple for bim Before sitting down I desire t<> thank notoqly my hostsof this eve ling, tut the ptople of Nelson generally for the unbounded hospitality sh wn to ur dnring our stay here. I wish to orier them my sincere thanks, not only for myself, but for the officers and men of the Blanche. We of the navy are accustomed to hospitality ] wherever we go, but never before has it been, my Jot, to meet with it., to the same extern that it his been accorded to us *in' Nelsou. (Loud cheers). His Worship thb Mator proposed the health of the Superintendent and members of of the Executive and Provincial Councils. He was sure that all appreciated the manner in which they performed their work His Honor the Superintendent in re- I turning tbanks said that after what had taken

place in the last session ot the Assembly he "right be looked ujion as making his last dying speech and confession, for it was within the bounds of probability that, ere long, his seat, and those of the Councillors would know them no more, for they might shortly be called upon to hand over the seals of office to the great army of their successor*. (Cheers) For his own part he did not believe that that time was so near a* some peop'e thought, but he hoped that no long as they continued to exist they would do their duty,, and that their houses would be found in order when they had to abandon them to their successors Mr. O'Conor returned thanks for the Executive. Although their term of office might be short they would endeavor to make themselves as useful as possible. He had not held office long, and since he hal done so, he had came to the conclusion that there were others of a far more agreeable nature. When the happy time came for giving it up he hop"dhe should be able to look back and assert without tear of contradicion that he had done his dutr. Than tbat no man could have any higher aim. Mr Maclean, in returning thanka for the Provincial Council, said that if the great executioner, Mr Vogel, would only allow them a little more tine he felt sure they could and would do some good, ne believed in Provincial institutions, for thoy brought men face to face wjth political affairs, ani taught tbem that the offices of the State were within tbe comprehension of men or ordinary intelligent and earnestness. He regretted the approaching suddem demiae ot Provi cial Councils— all suddenNjeajfis were painful — but he could' not shut hiseves to the fact that popular ftelimfwas against their continuance (Cheers.) " . The Cn a ibm an proposed ho thealth of the Fire Brigade. After what had fallen from the Governor about their state of efficiency, little was left for him to say. He could not but feel that it was rather strange that he should be standing there as their guest to propose the toa«t placed in his hands. Rather should it bs that, instead of the Brigade antertaining them, they themselves should be tbe guests^of the citizens, who owed so much to them. (Sheers^ He was glad to find in the hut fesßion v oft.the^ Assembly that lhe services of such B^gades. were to some extent recognised oy their being made exempt trom attendance on juries That was an amount of relief to which they were well entitled. The uee and value of Fireßrigades, in a wooden town especially, could not be overestimated, and he hoped that some greater and more substantial recognition of their services would be exhibited thau had hitherto been the case. (Cheers ) Captain Liohtfoot reiu-ned his sincere; thanks for the flatteri g expreseions that had fallen fjom his Excellency the Governor ar/d the Superintendent. He could assure them nothing should be wanting on the part of (he brigade to render themselvs as perfect as the/ could hope to be. They could scarcely expect the full extent of discipline referrei to by Captain Simp <op, bnt he ha 1 alwavs endeavoured to carry it out ai much es he could, for he 9a w the advantages of it, and was fully aware that without it there could be no efficiency. (Cheers.) . C«ptain Liohtfoot prop >f&1 ihe health of thb Auxiliary Brigade. They were speedily on the spot on the occasion of a fire, and readered the most valuable assistance. Captain Garrard returned thank?. The Auxiliary Brigade was not so numerous as parent nor were its members so well Vreesed ; and they also laboured under anoth|r dwadvantnge, namely, that they lived further away from the fires, but they alwajs c»m\jjp as quickly m they cbul '. He was proud of h : s boy?, who always did ss they were told without aoking questions— iti fact, if they did not, they would "probably find the hose turned on them. As an old sailor he hometimes, perhaps, hauled the ropes a litt'e too taut, but he was convinced there was nothing like discipline. Mr, Totty thought the brigades should meet wtth more liberal support, especially from the Insurance offices. Mr Maclean proposed the health of the Mayor aud City Council. They had sue ceeded a very useful body, namely, the Board ot vyorks, and in doing so were a*>cendin(r in the scale. Instead of a Chiirman and meni^ bers of the Board, they were now the Mayor and Councillors. There was something in this, for tho more the office wai magnified, the more likely was a man to take trouble to fulfil its duties Tbe Mayor had shown that he wa-i determined to carry out tha good old spirit ot hospitality, and to preside over his fellow men witi geniality. He looked for> \ward to their career wilh hope, for a( present tljey were like a young lady, just, entering on a ft^w state of life with all her • history btfore and, not behind her. (Laughter and eheew.) Councillor Burn rose to re|urn thank-i for the Mayor and Council. He «iid this on account of the Mayor's diffidence, the sime diffidence that he displayed in accepting the office which he now filled in a manner of which they might a'l be proud. The present Council, he felt sure, would do all in their power to carry out the power* vested ia them for the benefit of the town The remainder of the evening's proceedings we must summarise as briefly as possible " The Town and Trade of Nelson " was proposed by Mr Q'Conor, and responded ti bv Mr Lightband; the "Insurance Companies" by Mr Cooksey and replied to bv Mr Pickering; Mr Hunter Brown proposed, arid the Bishop of Nelson returned thanks for " the Guests." The other toasts were, " the Chairman." "Vice-Chairman," «« Captain Lightfcat," «'The Ladies," «Mr Greenfield," « Dr Cotterell, the surgeon o' the Brigade," ■" Mr Wigzcll, the Secretary," and "the Host and Hostess." During the evening appropriate airs, were played at intervals by the Artillery Band, and b; Mr Oakey on the piano, and several capital songs were sung, His Excellency and suite left at midnight' and the party broke np somewhat later. The whole affi&ir was a decided success, a]iiß we trust that one of its reaulta will be the increased, popularity of . that highly creditable, and exceedingly -useful .body. of men, the Nelson lire Brigade.