PRESENTATION TO CAPT. WHITEFORD OF THE WELLINGTON FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5158, 3 October 1877, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO CAPT. WHITEFORD OF THE WELLINGTON FIRE BRIGADE.

In the report which appeared in yesterday's issue of the presentation to Captain Whiteford, we were compelled, for want of space, to hold over that gentleman’s reply to the toast of his health. It was as follows ; . “ Gentlemen, — It is with much diffidence I venture to return yon my warmest thanks for your kind manifestations of my services rendered to this community through the Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade, extending from the founding of a fire brigade in this city, and over a period of thirteen years. During that period our path,at times may have appeared a little chequered ; but any little difficulty by a steady perseverance on the part of the members hath always been surmounted. Of the promoting members of this institution, although I only am left, I can testify to the untiring zeal of the early members in fostering the institution into good working order. Even now, although their names hath no place on the present roll, many of them to the present day render us good assistance in various ways. And at this period of Wellington history, allow me to thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me in being able to say that you have permitted me to hold the helm for such a lengthened period. During that time it has been the untiring zeal of my brother officers and fellow-firemen, supported by the insurance companies and our generous fellow citizens, that has prompted me in my endeavors to maintain efficiency ; for, while being supplied with the means, and having at my command in the past and present gentlemen whom I have always felt it a pleasure to be associated with, I could always procure the talent within the body, either for a daring exploit in time of need, or judicious management of those means for the promoting and advancing the efficiency of the brigade. “ I would also thank you for your expression of approval of the edifice in which we are now assembled, and can only add that having recently visited the colony of Victoria, and other parts of New Zealand, and viewed the accommodation provided there for tho fire brigades, I felt it impossible on tuy part to rest satisfied until tho capital city of New Zealand should take a place in the front rank, for her accommodation of the fire department, with other parts. I therefore, fully alive to those requirements, prepared the design from which this edifice is built, and it gives me much pleasure to think that my weak attempt at design should have given you satisfaction. “ When viewing with you the rapid increase of buildings of an inflammable nature in this city, I feel gratified that you are alive to the urgent necessity of maintaining tho fire department in the highest state of efficiency, and no effort will be lost on my part in assisting to attain so desirable an object. As to those peculiar and appropriate qualifications which yon so flatteringly apply to me for fostering efficiency, I am inclined to think the artist who painted me had run short of more mild colors, and having no other substitute, used pure Vermillion, to have painted me in so bright a color. Whatever term you apply to me in this respect, you must apply to the whole body I have the honor to command, as I can testify that there is not a member amongst

us but has no other aim than to be as efficient as possible to meet an emergency when called upon. With regard to the" qualifications of the commander of such a body as wo now represent, my organ of self-esteem would be exceedingly large if X for a moment thought the picture you have drawn of a naval or military commander in any way applied to me. Although it might be open for debate whether it would be easier to mould the minds of a naval or military regiment into one, or the minds of a body of volunteers such as we are, —in either case, when united action is required it is essential that the will of the leader should be the will of the body. To such object I have always directed my attention, well knowing by accomplishing the one thing the rest was bound to follow, and. I can here testify that any time when in action I have always had my orders cheerfully and promptly obeyed. “ Gentlemen, in accepting your highly prized and valuable presentation as a token of your esteem, permit me to return my warmest thanks to my brother officers and fellow-fire-men, for their untiring and cheerful co-opera-tion rendered me on all occasions when our services have been required, aud also upon all matters appertaining to the welfare and efficiency of the brigade. “ To the agents of insurance companies for their liberal support to the brigade since its formation. And although the ties that have heretofore bound us together are somewhat removed, I hope our interests and relationship will still be the same.

“To our generous fellow-citizens for their liberal and warm response to the many calls that have been made upon them by the brigade since February, 1865. And now that the Municipal Corporation provide the necessary expenses, it will be more gratifying to all parties to know that such an institution requires no longer to beg its own support. Trusting that the goodfellowship that has hitherto existed between us may long continue; and while I possess your confidence as a leader, I will use" my best endeavor to promote the efficiency of the brigade.”