GERALDINE FIRE BRIGADE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2745, 1 December 1894, Page 2

GERALDINE FIRE BRIGADE.

The number two concert in aid of the medal fund of the Geraldine fire Brigade was worthy of a much better house than it received on Thursday evening. As far as the weather had anything to do with the attendance there was no reason why there should have been other than a full house, but for some inexplicable reason it was otherwise decreed. The concert was infinitely better than the first one: the repeated items going with more abaiidon, while the new pieces were a decided gain to the programme. Of the repeated items, the song, “ The Tramp of the Fire Brigade,” by Mr E. Robson, assisted by a chorus of local firemen, went well, as did also Mr Sugden’s recitation, “ The Execution of Montrose. ” The musical tableau, <( Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead,” was again staged with splendid effect, the limelight arrangement being better worked than on the previous occasion. Miss Maggie Morrison sang the part with a pathos that quite won the audience. The comic duet,“ Is That Possible,” would even bear repeat* ing a third time, it was such a capital little thing. For this Messrs Mcllroy and Krause were not allowed to pass off without a recall. Miss Maggie Morrison was again loudly encored for the pretty song ,in character, with limelight effect, “ Auntie,” and got a vociferous encore for her Irish character song, “Katie’s Letter.” Mr E. Sugden scored a success with his London coster song, in character, “ My Old Dutch,” and had to respond to a recall from the audience. The orchestra gave two nicely-executed overtures, “ The Union Jack” and “Golden Sunshine,” each one being loudly applauded. Of the new items Miss Andrews’ “ True Till the Last” elicited great applause, as did also her song “ Dreamland ” in the second part. Mr P. D. Hetdman rendered “Aftou Water” with much sweetness, and, in the second part, gave a powerful exposition of the “ Mountebank,” for which he was well applauded. Mr E. Robson contributed a good item in the song “Messmates,” which almost won him an encore. Miss Gibson was specially favoured with a shower of bouquets and an encore for her pretty song, in character, “ The Ballad Singer.” The chief item of the evening was the musical tableau,“The Gipsy Camp,” given in three scenes with limelight effect. This tableau was pronounced by one and all to be one of the best, if not the best, ever produced at Geraldine. It eertaiulv was an exceptionally pretty one. The dresses were very brilliant and the grouping excellent, while the limelight thrown on them from the wings made ihe whole a most beautiful aspect. Miss Dunlop and Mr Robson in turn sang the verses accompanying the tableau with nice effect. The following took part in the tableau: Mrs Hardy, Misses Mina Dunlop, E. Morrison, Pearpoint, Gibson, and M. Morrison, May Poarpoiut, Gladys Sugden, Master Lionel

Pearpoint, Messrs A. Hardy, F. Fish, Calder, Erskine, Mcllroy, Sugden, and Mollier. The programme concluded with an amusing sketch by Messrs Mcllroy and Krause, entitled “ The Two Wily Mendicants,” which caused considerable merriment. Mr Burn was unavoidably absent with his “ Old Banjo ” and “ The Admiral’s Broom,” as was likewise Mr R. Morrison with his “ Whistling Coon.” The accompaniments were played by Miss Fish and Mr Sngden. Previous to the entertainment the brigade marched through the town in procession with the clowns, etc., and the notorious elephant. During the evening Mr W. S. Maslin, M.H.R, came on the platform and said that he had a pleasing duty to perform, which was to present Captain Walton with some slight recognition from the members of the brigade for the very able services he had rendered in. connection with the formation and effective working of the same. He was sorry there was not a larger audience that night to show appreciation for the work of the brigade at Geraldine. Although we had not much opportunity of witnessing the powers of the brigade here, atm when they have been required they have been on the scene with a promptness that showed their training to be effective. One thing he wished to point out to Geraldine people was the advantage of the existence of a Brigade in their midst. Some five or six years ago we paid 25 per cent, more on fire insurance policies than we do now. The reduction was secured by getting a brigade in the town and a supply of water. He might give one instance of a local hotelkeeper that must . .have saved £lO per annum on his policy, .totalling about £SO since the brigade was formed. On the whole since advent of thei brigade some hundreds of pounds must have been saved to the district in thi* way. He hoped that when next the brigade had occasion to call upon the public of Geraldine they would not forget the debt they owe. (Hear hear.) To show their appreciation of the captain’s services the brigade had decided to present him with a long-service medal. Captain Walton had been in the brigade since its formation, and to him and a few others the efficiency of the members was due. He was the right man in the right place. (Applause). He had much pleasure in presenting Captain Walton with his medal. The medal is a massive silver one, nicely engraved and bearing the following inscription :—“ Presented to Captain Walton of the Geraldine Fire Brigade, for five years’ service. Dated, November 19th. Dating from November 19th, 1889.” Mr Maslin also presented to Joseph Dean a certificate of the United Fire Brigade Association. Mr Dean had also shown himself to be an active worker in the brigade, and had been marked out for special recognition. There were also other members deserving of recognition. Captain Walton, briefly responded, saying that it was not so much hif own particular efforts that gave efficiency to the brigade, as the efforts of those who asssisted him. Mr Walton was taken by surprise by the presentation which had been kept ** dark ” till the last moment. The proceedings closed with “ God save the Queen,” Although no motion was proposed at the concert by way of thanks, the brigade desire to state that they are grateful to all who assisted to make the concert a ' success. Special thanks are due to Mr Pearpoint, who, though not taking part in the conceit, did good work behind the scenes.