FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION IN NELSON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4220, 29 September 1874, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION IN NELSON.

HIS EXCELLENCY AT THE DINNER. On last Thursday evening the Eire Brigades of Nelson, accompanied by the Artillery Company, and a band, had a torchlight procession, followed by a dinner in the, Masonic Hall, at which His Excellency the Governor and aide-de-camp, Captain Simpson, K.N., His Honor the Superintendent, His Worship the Mayor, the Bishop of Nelson, fhe members of the Executive, and others were present. The chair was taken by the Superintendent, and the vice-chair by the Mayor. The Chaiuman proposed the “Health of His Excellency the Governor.” He was afraid the pleasure they would all feel in drinking His Excellency’s health would be to some extent lessened by the fact that he was soon about to leave the Colony, but they might feel sure that in Sir James Eergusson, who during his brief stay in New Zealand had visited all parts of it, and made himself acquainted with its resources and its wants, they would have a powerful advocate at Home, one who would 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 Colony he was so soon about to leave. The toast having been drank with great enthusiasm, His Exokllekcy said : Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I am exceedingly obliged to you for the kind and hearty manner in which you have drank my health. I have felt very great pleasure inn availing myself 'of the kind invitation X received to be present this evening, for I was led to understand''that I was not only to meet the members of the Eire 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 little diffidence in appearing before you, running away as I am from the Colony at so early a period of my tenure of office, and I feel that, under the circumstances, the reception you have given me is still more land on your part, showing me, as it does, that you do not think me unworthy of the kindness that has always been displayed towards the Governors of New Zealand. Your Superintendent does me no more than justice in believing that, although I have not deemed it my duty to remain amongst you, X shall always take a deep and earnest interest in all 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 and has produced so beneficial an effect upon those 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 tho future of this portion of its possessions with a feeling of pride, for , undoubtedly it is a most interesting country,' possessing an infinity of resources and springs "q£ life in everyquarter. and in evei-y respect. Ijshall 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 toit; and, strong asyou are, I hope you may 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 cheers.) The Superintendent remarked that considerable ignorance prevailed at Home with regard to the Australian portion of the Bx-itish 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 was going. It was not considered necessary that a man of education should be acquainted with this portion of Her Majesty’s possessions, and among: the working classes, there was, strange as it may seem 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. 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. Yon 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 attaiu 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 our meeting to-night as being one of a convivial rather than a political character. I can assure you that I have great pleasure in being the guest of a corps so honorable as that I see around me. Fire Brigades occupy a prominent position both in England and the Colonies from their great usefulness. If other volunteer- bodies) are not always successful, it is probably owing.. to the fact that the piping times of peace in. which wo live are fatal to the martial arejouf that would otherwise exist, but you,. gentleineu, have ; always a dangerous foe at harrdj with whom you may bo.called upon to grapple at any moment. It is gratifying to me to know that in Nelson all the Volunteers keep efficiency and are not content merely to wear an honorable uniform, and you, gentlemen of the Eire Brigade, in particular are so efficient that I fear you must cause a depression in the building trade. In another town where I have been, that height of efficiency has not been attained. In Auckland the outbreak and successful progress of fires are remarkable. I used sometimes to think that the citizens were determined to build a town of unparalleled magnificence, and had consequently entered into a combination with other authorities that there should always be a fire. On Sundays tho churches were frequently emptied by the ringing of the firebell; at night people were constantly turned out of their beds by the same sound, and pyro- • technical displays on a large scale were common occurrences. Numbers of people would soon be present at tho scene of the fire and devote, their utmost energies to pumping upon the blazing buildings, but unfortunately, as a rule, there would be no water at the other end of the hose. I have seen my friend Captain Simpson turn out with his men from tho Blanche and offer to’'pull down a house to prevent the spread ofi aiifire;' but there was always some, objection raised-to such a proceeding, as the people appeared to prefer seeing a dozen houses burnt to one removed. But it was all good for trade,; workingmen found constant employment; the insurance offices were well patronised, for no one felt safe, and nobody seemed 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 the objects that could be desired. (Laughter.) In Nelson you appear to go upon another tack. You are content to retain your dwellings as they are, and, judging from the popularity of the Eire Brigade, I should imagine that the people are not desirous of having their houses destroyed merely for the sake of erecting new ones. If, at any time, the building trade should sink into too low a state of despondency, you can easily alter your arrangements 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 and inside this building. I assure > you that I shall long retain tho most agreqable - recollections of my visit to Nelson, which I regard as one of the most enjoyable spots,in New Zealand, if not in any other qoxuxtry.. ,(f*pud. and continued cheering,) . . ; ■■■