Our Fire Fighters.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 18, 21 January 1914, Page 5

Our Fire Fighters.

ARRANGE GARDEN FETE.

FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 5. Fire-fighting is a science, and a heart-breaking one at the best, but without proper appliances no body of men can hope to achieve very much in the way of success. Such a condition of affairs is specially disheartening to a volunteer brigade, such as Stratford boasts—and boasts to some purpose, too, for they do some fine work with the few hundred feet of hose and other parts of the plant at their disposal. And if the Captain (Grubh) says oven under his breath that he should have another 1500 ft of hose, or, say, a chemical engine or a 'motor to assist him to "get there everytimo in time," then there is no reason why he should not lie humored. Because he knows—none better. Something of the sentiment attached to the foregoing now lies heavy upon all the members of the Brigade, and this found concrete expression at the Borough Council Chambers last evening, when a public meeting of citizens was hold to consider ways and means of staging a Garden Fete, the proceeds of which may surely be expected to materially assist the funds of the Brigade, .lodging from the enthusiasm evinced by the gathering of about fifty, including ladies, the Fete should prove highly successful. Mayoral Remarks. His Worship the Mayor, who presided, in his opening remarks, said that the meeting had been called to consider the proposal to hold a Garden Fete, which all would admit was for a most worthy object. Year in and year out, the members of the Brigade attended a (ire irrespective of whether the property being dealt with Mas owned by rich or poor. They simply answered the call to the fire, and the least the public could do was to do all they could to assist the Brigade in this 'matter of building up the funds. Personally, said His Worship, he had no doubt that the Fete would be a pronounced success. It was the intention to de-

vote the funds as ,". first object to procuring uniforms, which were urgently needed. The Borough Council on all occasions endeavoured to meet the requirements of the Brigade, but the necessities of the Council were great, and were becoming greater every year, and in asking the public to join in as a co-operative concern His Worship considered he was simply asking what was reasonable. As far as a successful issue of the proposal was concerned, the Brigade must have the whole support of the people of Stratford. The object was a worthy one, and deserved their hearty assistance. It had been proposed in connection with the P'ete that an art union should be held, and the authorities had been communicated with, but no reply had been received. Tt had also been proposed that the Fete should be held on or about 26th February in Victoria Park, but there was the question whether it should not be held on another date, and also as to whether the claims of the show grounds should be considered. His Worship said he felt that the grounds lent themselves to a ''big thing." The Park certainly, was central, but the grounds were not far away and there were many conveniences there. He moved : "That the meeting is heartily in ac'•ord with the proposal to hold a Garden Fete in connection with the Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade." The motion was seconded by Captain Grubb and carried unanimously.

His Worship then moved that the meeting forms itself into a committee of the whole with power to add to its number to carry out the Fete. This was seconded by Mr Rawles and carried. On the Show Crounds.

It was resolved after considerable discussion as to the merits of the resoective sites of Victoria Park and the Show Grounds, that the Fete be held on the Show Grounds, only six votes being {liven in favor of Victoria Park. Gater in the meeting, His Worship allowed the question of the site to be re-opened, but again the meeting decided in favor of the Show Grounds. Date of the Fete. The meeting resolved to hold the | Fete on Thursday, oth March. Working Committees. The following committees were appointed : Illuming Events.—A. Rickleben, W. Woods, 1). J. Malone. Cycling.—T. Kirkwood, J. East, L. Warm, Kennedy. I Motor and Motor Cycling.—Captain Grubb, Lieut. Wilson, A. ilawles and A. ,i. Davey. Guessing Competitions.—B. Davies, Stanley, Mrs Childs. Side Shows.—P. Phelan, A. Moon, Harris. Mrs Moon, Mrs Middleton. Ladies Events.—A. K. Gorton, W. Patou, A. Moon, A. Ilawles. Stepping the Chain.—J. Crossan, W. Brocklebank. Picture Show.—T. Wilson, T. G. Grubb and A. E. Gorton. General Sports.—V. Crawshaw, W. Robinson, P. Phelan, W. Wilson, jun. Grubb, Lieut. Wilson, H. Voyle, 1). J. Malone, G. Wilson, A, Rawlos, A. E. Gorton.

Train arrangements and Holiday.— |G. Wilson, A. E. Gorton, H. Hawkins, (and His Worship the Mayor. Horse Events.—Captain Grubb, A. IJ. Davey. ! Children's Committee.—V. Crawshaw, \V. Robinson, P. Phelan, W. Wilson. Decorated Events. Airs Davey, '.Mr and .Mrs Moon, Mr and Mrs Harris, Mrs Childs. General. The offer of Madame Bernard to

give a picture show on the night of the Fete-.on certain conditions was heartily applauded. It was reported that Mr T. A. Nicholson and Mr E. Mason had donated one guinea each to the funds. Before the meeting closed, His Worjship added a few remarks. He said it |was only by working with the comiinittees which had just been appointed that the Fete would be a success. The [support of the whole of the people should be secured. Personally he had !no doubt that the Fete would be a great success. He was pleased to see such a well-filled and representative meeting, and he expressed the hope that as the date drew nearer their numbers and their enthusiasm would he increasingly great. He thanked all heartily on behalf of the Brigade for their assistance. (Applause.) The attractions will include a beauty show and a baby show.

Fireman J. G. Bradley is the secretary, and he is being assisted by Fireman C. Bennett.

The general committee meet on Tuesday. 3rd Februarv.

The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to His Worship the Mayor for presiding.