FIREMEN'S CONTESTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 59, 14 March 1904, Page 3

FIREMEN'S CONTESTS.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. (Per Press A-jsociation.) MELBOURNE, llarch 12. The New Zeulunders competed in se\eral events nil Hie second day of the Geelong Fire Brigade demonstration, but iiad to give place to the local teams uniongst whom tho competition was very spirited and keen. NEW ZEALAND TEAM AT GEELONG. A New Zealand Times correspondent. writing from Geelong on March Ist, gives the following account The New Zealand cont ingvnt representing the Fire Brigades Association, to the number of seventeen, left the Bluft for Melbourne by tinMoeraki on Fe-hruar.\ 22, with the object of taking part in the competitions at the Geelong Fire Brigades demonstration on Alarcli 9, l()th and 'llth. The passage across was a line weather one, and the member's of the team iiad the privilege of visiting Milford Sound. Although no rough weather was exjwrienced, quite a number of the tt-am suffered from sea-sickness. The party arrived inside tile heads of Port Phillip Bay at 1.30 on SundaJ, the 28th, and alter being examined by the doctor, steamed lor Melbourne, hoping to catch the Geelong steamer on Sunday. This, however, they just missed"

On getting ashore at Melbourne they foiiml Lieutenant Mclntyre, of the Chiltern Brigade, who had comedown 100 miles to welcome the New Zealanders—an attention which was much appreciated. In the afternoon the contingent visited the Metropolitan Fire Station, and were received by Superintendent Stein, who gave

all exhibition turn out of appliances, which proved exceedingly interesting. He also placed ft drag at the service of the visitors, who we're- -..driven round the suburbs.

Leaving Melbourne at 3.30 on Monday, the party arrived at Geelong in the evening,, and were met by a large number of citizens and a band, and driven to the Town Hall. The Mayor proposed their health), and extended a hearty welcome to the contingent. Other toasts were honoured, and the men were then driven to their hotel.

The team st&rttfl practice the following morning, at 0 o'clock, and again during the clay at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The conditions under which the events are to be run are a complete surjrrme to our members, and i would not be entertained in New Zealand, where competitors use regular service gear supplied by tlu» association, and all run with the same plant. Here each team finds its own plant, and no expense is spared in providing men with the lightest appliances possible. The reels weigh 280lbs, the wheels and drum running on ball bearings, and the cost is JYnm £l*o to JL'iO. They have handles projecting frojn the axle. The hydrant (weighing J 21b) is hung on un arm extending A foot outside the wheels, and must be lilted before the reel starts or it would drop otf. The couplings are three threads to the inch, and tightened up by a quarter turn. The branches are about (iin lomg, weigh about hall u pound, and am be earri/'d in a porket. The clothing is of the fi(m,siesl. A blouse. when gathered up ill III" hand could r;tsil\ be m Milken for it fi.tndk'-n'hi.'L Tinplant to be brnllgi'.l ie> >}).- iI i 1! t-i fit t brigades laki hj; JMlt i!l ?h" demonstration wjli e\<ved in v«»iue. aiid is practically useless !*ji* anything but these competitions. Thj; possibility of the New /.ealand teuin octf.upjjng winning position is almost hopek'jSij ; sjjll, tlie unexpectcd ofU'ii hiippwitt. T)w J'Jtiil l "'- are treating (he teajn in a splendid manner, .giving them every assistance in the loan of plant and advice as to the best methods of running. This is highly appreciated. As there is no manual here, the New £e;ilanders have to go to Colar, a town f)Xi:v forty miles away, on Thursday jj> Jutve a day's practice at tlie mauuai nig;n»! events. The v "war cry" as given by is in great request, and in being |ii;id,e a great point of at two eniertuinjnonts that are to take place in the park this week.