PRESENTATION TO CAPT. WHITEFORD, OF THE WELLINGTON FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5172, 19 October 1877, Page 7

PRESENTATION TO CAPT. WHITEFORD, OF THE WELLINGTON FIRE BRIGADE.

On the evening of October Ist the members of the Wellington Fire Brigade assembled at the hall. Manners-s treet, on a very interesting occasion, viz., the presentation of a substantial and well-dt served testimonial to Captain Whiteford, in recognition of his valuable services. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. Therewas a large attendance of members of the brigade, and amongst the private citizens present were Messrs. Simpson, T. K. Macdonald, E. J. Duncan, and N. B. Murphy. Letters of apology for unavoidable absence were read from the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, G. Hunter, Esq-, M.H.R., Captain Moss of the Central Eire Brigade, and Messrs. Thompson and Stuart.

The Chairman in opening the proceedings said he was very glad the e was no occasion for any excuse for his absence, as he was here present among them, and he felt it both an honor and pleasure to be called upon to preside on such an occasion. They had met together to pay a mark of honor to a true and brave man, in recognition of his services in connection with the brigade, and as a token of their appreciation of his worth and character by the members of the brigade, the’ insurance agents, and the merchants and citizens of Wellington. To Captain Whiteford the public were indebted for the organisation, if not for the original formation of the first fire brigade, and his unostentatious but useful career had contributed no little to the success which had attended it. They could not be too grateful for the exertions of the fire brigades, but for whose exertions the consequence of the recent fire would probably have been most appalling. He (the Mayor) would take this opportunity of publicly thanking the brigades for their bravery and gallantry on that occasion, in which Captain Whiteford took a prominent part. In connection with the building in which they were then met together,they werevery muchindebted to him, as it was mainly through his exertions that it had been erected. As a stranger, looking round St. Raul's Cathedral, when asked for the monument of Sir Christopher Wren, was told to “look around,” so they might say in lesser degree that this building was a monument of Captain Whiteford's energy and perseverance. Captain Whiteford was a man of few words, but what he bad to' do he did well, without “ blowing” about it, and satisfied with the consciousness that he had done his duty. He (the Mayor) had now the very pleasing duty of presenting to Captain Whiteford a medal from the members of the brigade to which he belonged, and a service of plate from the representatives of the Insurance Companies and other citizens of Wellington, and also a purse containing some money, being a balance in hand of subscriptions received, accompanied by an address which he would now read. (Cheers.) The Chairman then read the following address :

«To Archibald Whiteford, Esq., Superintendent of the Wellington Volunteer Eire Brigade. “ Sib, —We, the undersigned officers, members, and honorary members of the Wellington Volunteer Eire Brigade, representatives of insurance offiees, and other citizens of Wellington, have great pleasure in availing ourselves of this occasion for the purpose of expressing our sincere and grateful appreciation of the manifold and valuable services which you have rendered to the Wellington Volunteer Eire Brigade, and thus to the community at large, ever since the brigade was formed ; services in ■which you have cheerfully and liberally expended your time and abilities without fee or reward. We have reason indeed to believe that we are much indebted to your untiring zeal and perseverance for the present efficient state of the brigade, and_ for that wholesome esprit de corps which is one of the main Incentives' to exertion, promptitude and due observance of discipline on the part of the members of such a brigade. We would more especially allude to the self-denial and liberality displayed by you in connection with the edifice in which we are now assembled, an edifice in which the members of the brigade and the citizens of Wellington generally may justly feel proud, and we are glad to think that the building itself constitutes a better memorial of your services in this respect than any mere words possibly could.

“ Sir, when we look around us and observe the rapid increase in the number and size of 'buildings iu 'Wellington, arid taking into consideration the inflammable nature .of the materials principally used, we cannot but feel the urgent necessity of maintaining the fire brigades of the city in the highest state of efficiency ; .and we speak iu no spirit of flattery when we express our belief that we may long seek before finding a gentleman possessing the peculiar and appropriate qualifications which you do for fostering, maintaining, and increasing such efficiency. Si-', when we meet with a man in whose character are combined the qualities of courage with prudence and self-control, kindliness with firmness, quickness of decision with promptitude, energy, and perseverance in acting, we feel assured that that man will make his mark whatever his station in life or sphere of action may be. Such a man stands out in bold relief among his fellow-men, and in any case of public emergency weakerminded mortals gladly avail themselves of his more manly attributes, and cheerfully aud confidently place themselves under his guidance aud control, _As a naval or military commander he attains distinction, and iu time of warfare his countrymen look to him with pride and confidence to maintain the national honor. But, sir, there is another sphere of action, which although perhaps more limited, is, we venture to think, of a higher aud more beneficent nature ; a sphere of action in which it is necessary that a leader should combine within himself all the qualities before mentioned, —that where the object of that leader and his followers is not to sacrifice the lives aud property of their fellow creatures, but to save aud protect both Such, sir, is the object of the VVelliugton Volunteer Fire Brigade, aud such a leader they are proud to believe they possess iu you. “ We have now, sir, to beg your acceptance of the accompanying gifts ol a gold medal and piece of plate, as a alight though inadequate token of our esteem aud respect; and hoping that you may long continue to hold the position which you now so worthily fill as Superintendent of the Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade, we remain your sincere wellwishers.”

The gifts were here presented to Captain Whiteford. On the silver salver, which formed part of a very handsome tea aud coffee was eugraved the following inscription ; “Presented to A. Whiteford, Esq., Superintendent of the Wellington Volunteer Fire Brigade, by the representatives of the insurance companies and other citizens of Wellington, iu recognition of the valuable but unpaid services which he has rendered to the brigade and the city at large.” The health of Captain Whiteford was here proposed from the. chair, and drunk with honors.

Captain Whitefoed in replying said it is with much diffidence I venture to return you 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 membets 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 yon 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 the fire brigades, I felt it impossible’on my part to rest satisfied until the 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 re-, quirements, 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 yon satisfaction- “ When viewing with you the rapid increase of buildings of an inflammable nature in this city, X feel gratified that you are alive to the urgent necessity of maintaining the fire department in the highest state of efficiency, and no effort will bo lost on my part in assisting to attain so desirable an object. As to those peculiar and appropriate qualifications which you 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 we now represent, my organ of self-esteem would be exceedingly large if I 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 actiouis required it isessential 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, and 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 hound us together are somewhat removed, X 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.” The Mayor here said an engagement at the other end of the town prevented his remaining longer, and he must therefore beg to be allowed to leave. He proposed that Mr. Simpson take the chair. This was carried, and the health of the “ Insurance Companies,” and other toasts, were then given.

There was an abundance of refreshments supplied to the guests, and a very pleasant evening was passed by all present. The utmost harmony prevailed throughout, and there seemed to be a very general feeling of appreciation entertained for Captain Whiteford’s valuable services, and a universal desire to do him honor on this occasion.