WITH THE BRIGADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 47, 19 October 1912, Page 5

WITH THE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL DINNER OF STRATFORD VOLUNTEER FIREMEN. One of the time-honoured celebrations of the year is the annual dinner of the Stratford Volunteer Eire Brigade, a function that is always marked with the utmost enthusiasm, and is responsible for the pleasantest of j evenings. Last night the gathering was a representative one, and the re- ! putation of the brigade’s annual din- ! nor suffered nothing, hilt made a fresh j record for general excellence. The [ catering was in the capable hands of i Fireman Payton, and fully deserved the various compliments passed upon I it by. several speakers of the evening. 1 Fireman Payton being voted a truly I excellent chef, and his poultry “firstclass.’ The toast of “The King,” proposed by the Chairman, was first duly honoured. The Borough Council. Captain Grubb then proposed the toast of “The Borough Council,” and in doing so expressed his pleasure at seeing so many of the Councillors present, especially those Councillors who had been with them for so many years. He was sure that the Council recognised that the brigade was not a toy—but a necessity to the town. The fact that this year the Council had voted a sum running into three figures, showed that they attached no ordinary significance to the brigade. Referring to the equipment, Captain Grubb said they had not lost sight of a certain end they had in view—(applause and laughter)—but when the new apparatus arrived they would bo fairly well equipped. (Applause). In response,. Councillor N. J. King said lie was most pleased to ho there that evening. This was the tenth time he had had a similar honour, and ho had never been treated better than at this evening. “Bar a Borough Councillor, firemen were the most self-sac-rificing men on local public institutions, Councillor King went on to say, amidst general laughter. He. congratulated ex-Captain Kivell for the great honour attained by him in winning the gold star. (Applause.) Stratford was very fortunate in having such a man. As a member of the Council, ho assured those present that the brigade would have his hearty support. (Applause.) In regard to the motor lire engine, he sounded a note of warning. To go in for n motor vehicle they must be prepared to put their hands in their pockets. At the present juncture all things should he seriously considered before such a step was made. (Applause). Councillor Ward also congratul .ted ex-Captain Kivell in winning the gold star. He mentioned that it was due to Captain Kivell that the volunteers were formed in Stratford, though honour to whom honour was duo had not been previously given. He endorsed Councillor King’s words as regards tho motor engine; care and caution should be exercised before committing themselves to any such expenditure. Passing on, Councillor Ward stated amidst thunderous- applause, that a new firebell was essential. In the future,, also it. might, be .necessary to .erect pn auxiliary station, so that the fires might, he reached more quickly. ' j ' Councillor Dawson 1 chilgfatnlhtedi the brigade ‘on 'the remarkable pfo-j attained dVtring the y'eir.' This; waA his Second attendance at this ga-j thei’ing, and he hoped it would r.dt be; •the last.; (Applause.); ■ l h p-cc •<> > !’ Councillor -Thompson TOferrld toThe healthy tohei dvinced- at' th©> annual meeting held previously'. There was keen competition for office, and this augured well for the future.

, ’ Tffe Fire Brigade. Councillor King, in the absence of the Mayor, proposed the health o| the Fire Brigade, and referred in humorous terms :tp, past brigades. : The exvl thusiasm displayed -by tile brigqdJ was an excellent thing. (Applause.) . ‘ln'reply. Captain GrubU said that L; was riot tnel intention of ’the brigade to call upon the Council for any donation towards the motor engirib. Councillor King had referred to the amount of money voted by the Council during the past few years to the brigade, but the speaker reminded them that the brigade had handed over to the Council buildings and land valued at something like £1000; also, they had added to the buildings and furnished the rooms out cf their own funds. The brigade was not a lazy one, and they had found means ot helping themselves as well as helping the ratepayers. With regard to the new bell, that was a necessity. (Loud and continuous applause*) They could tell this from the thunderous applause that, greeted its mention. (Applause.) Other toasts were “United Fire Brigades’ Association,” proposed by cxCaptain Kivell, and responded to by ex-Foreman C. D. Sole; “Life Members,” proposed by ex-Lieuten„nt Row son, and to by ex-Lieu-teuants Sole and A. Stewart, and exForeman T. Partridge; “Ex-Captain Kivell” was proposed by Captain Grubb, and in doing so, ho stated that ex-Captain Kivell had now gained tne highest position in getting the gold star. Captain he said, had done a lot for the brigade, and was responsible for its efficiency at the present time. The speaker stated that lie was only a young captain, but he hoped before Iris term expired that ho would have the same experience in brigade matters as ex-Capcain Kivell had had.

Captain Kivell, in responding, said that he had now had over twenty-five years’ experience in brigade work, having started in 1894, when the first brigade was started in Stratford, shortly after the big fire, after a meeting was held in the old Town Hall. Tile brigade was formed with about forty members, under Captain Hirsbbir", Lieuts. Kivell and Curtis. They had an old fire enginOj and had to fight bush fires, sometimes being out all night. Brigade matters were ouite different now. Ex-Lieutenants Rowson and Stewart, Foreman Sole, and Fireman .Crosson, were the other members of the old brigade that were present, and they would remember well the early days. He was pleased to be a- wearer of the gold star in the Stratford Brigade, and trusted that he would lie present when other members of the brigade" received tneir stars. He was also pleased to receive the clock presented by the members of the brigade. As long as he was able—in fact, ho would bo a fireman till he died. (Applause.) And would render any assistance or give any of his wide experience to any member if they wished. “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr. P. Skoglund and responded io by Fireman Gorton. “The Press,” proposed by Lieut. Wilson, was respond d to by Press representatives. “Host and Hostess,” proposed by Captain Grubb and responded to by Mr. W. Payton. Songs. Songs wore rendered by Messrs. P. Thomson, P. Skoglund, N. F. Dunlop. A. Gorton, Lieutenant Wilson, and cx-Firernan Walsh. The accompaniments were 'creditably played by Co uncill or Tl l om pso n. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” terminated the evening.