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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 145, 10 June 1876, Page 4

At the recent Fire Brigade Demonstration at Ballarat there were 48 Brigades numbering in all nearly 1000 men. The correspondent of the Melbourne Argus writes concerning it :•— The great event for which all w<r<> eagerly looking forward was; the torch-light-procession. The different corps assembled at the railway station, and being soon marshalled in order by Captains Steel and Morris and Superintendent Hoad, a start was effeoted, and the whole body marched through the streets of Ballarat. Each fireman carried a torch, and as the procession marched along a distance of about five miles fireworks in profusion were continually displayed. The effect of the procession was simply splendid. The beauty of the glancing flambeaux was materially enhanced by the mode

of progression adopted. Where the width of the streets allowed it, the men instead of taking a direct course, zig zagged the road,' and the sinuous length of dancing, sparkling lights, winding in and out like a fiery serpent, produced a very brilliant effect. At the intersection of each street, where the thrbughfare permitted, tbe procession opened out, and the men formed a circle on either side. The streets and procession, lit up by rosy fires and showers of golden rain, with the accompaniments of the roar of the rockets and thei resonant strains of many instruments, formed a scene such aS to induce thej hearty cheers of the attendant orojwd. After the competition a banquet took place in the Alfred Hall at which about 1100 persons were present, mostly firemen, B.fore, the dioneri was finished, the men in thie lower parjt of the hall commenced making a great noise by clattering tbeir plates, kniyes, &c, and stamping their feet, the' cause being, as stated by some, that they were not sufficiently supplied with what they required ; whilst others alleged it was simply, exuberance of spirits. When the chairman, Mr Bropby, Mayor of Ballarat city, who shifted jbis seat to the front of the platform, requested silence so tbat he might propose the first toast, the .row was redoubled -— shouts, yalls, whistles, sounds of all kinds were heard on all sidjes. The scene, was simply disgraceful^ The gathering concluded in the most profound disorder.