Borough Fire Brigades.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2068, 20 August 1875, Page 2

Borough Fire Brigades.

i NNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

The anniversary of the Borough Fire Brigades—Grahamstown and Shortland contingents—was celebrated last night by a torchlight procession, a banquet at tlve Pacific Hotel and a dance in the Academy of Music. The Grahamstown Brigade, in charge of Superintendent S. Young and Captain Wright, assembled at their Engine House, Queen-street, at six o'clock, whence they proceeded with their apparatus —the big engine being drawn by two horses—to Butt's Corner, Shortland, where the Shortland Brigade had assembled. The Thames Scottish Volunteer Band, whose services were kindly given to add eclat to the proceedings, were in attendance, and played a selection of lively music. At Butt's Corner thg ..procession was arranged. Red fire was burnt from the top of the engine, and the torches were lit — THE PEOCBSSION moving off in files at a good distance apart, and two—one from each of the brigades— marching abreast. The procession was really imposing; the torches burned brilliantly, the band played capitally, and the red and blue uniforms, helmets and fire-extinguishing apparatus stood out in bold relief in the glare of the numerous torches."' There was a large crowd' of citizens in attendance, who accompanied j tie procession in its course to Grahamstown, which was along Pollen street, down Albert, Brown and Owen streets, and back to the Pacific Hotel. Owing to a smart breeze which was blowing and the rather smart. pace taken up by the brigades, some of the torches burnt out, and on arrival in Grahamstown the spectacle was scarcely as imposing as at its commencement. As soon as the engines had been taken to the shed, the men quickly mustered at the Pacific corner, .and in a very short time the sonorous clanging of Host Curtis' bell called them to THE BANQUET, which took place in the large dining hall of the Pacific Hotel, in which the tables were arranged to form three sides of a parallelogram, covers being laid for between sixty and seventy. The accommodation was found to be just sufficient, the number sitting down to the table being 63. Of these about 50 were officers and members of the Fire Brigades, jnr eluding Superintendents S. Young and J. E. Macdonald, Captains Wright and McCullougb, Ex-Superinfcedent JY Bull, and others ; His Worship the Mayor of the Borough, and Councillors Kenshaw, Ehrenfried, Kowe and Macnab, the members of the Thames Scottish Band and the representatives of the Press. His. Worship Mayor .Davies occupied the chair, and Superintendents Young and Macdonald acted as Vice Chairmen. ' The Chairman having said grace, an on-

slaughb was at once made ou the viands prepared by Mr Curtis. These were of the best quality and in ample quantity, and embraced every thing that could be desired by the most fastidious, besides which the waiting was. excellent. A reasonable time haying been allowed for the discussion of the good things '„■_

THE TOABTS were proceeded "with. His "Worship the Mayor, as chairman, introducing that of " The Queen," a toast which, he said,,at all assemblies of Englishmen they were delighted to honor. It is needless to say the toast was drunk with the usual enthusiasm.

The Chairman next proposed "The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," which was also well received and done full justice to. Me Superintendent Young said he found the next toast was allotted to him, though why, he did not know. It was " His Excellency the Governor,'' and he would ask them to drink the {past-as they had the preceding ones. The toast was cordfally received.

Or Eowe being called upon by the Ct airman for the next toast, said that his (ask was not quite so easy as Mr. Young's,, but he had very great pleasure in proposing the toast allotted to him. It was "The Superintendent of Auckland, Sir George Grey." It was well knewn that Sir George bad been for a long time living in retirement, from which he had emergedat the call of the people. His (Mr Howe's) political views differed materially from Si? Geo::ge Grey's, but he could not deny the fact that the latter had in the most disinterested manner left his retbeinent to do the best he could for the interest of the Province of Auckland, for which he deserved their very best thanks. He (the speaker) did not think any man could believe otherwise, and the people giving him credit for the best intentions, could not refrain from cordially drJok'ng his health that night (cheers). The toast was drunk with musical honors. - -.

Mr Superintendent Macdonald said the toast he had to propose was one that he was sure his brother firemen and comrades would heartily respond to. It was tbat of " The Mayor and Borough Councillors." Sines the Corporation was formed, a little over a year ago, the Brigades had received every consideration at the hands of Councillors. Before that time the Brigades had been supported by voluntary contributions from the citizens and other sources, but since they had been under the control of the Council no reasonable request—and, no doubt they had been reasonable in their requests — had been refused. They, had met with the most hearty cooperation from the Council., and it was required of them, his comrades, to acknowledge that their voluntary services had been appreciated. He was not going to.trench even so gently as Mr Rowe had done on political ques'ions, bat in the good days to come under the changes foreshadowed ■—when the Borough Council might be in a position to employ a paid fcedy of men to perform the work which the 'Eire Brigades had done voluntarily, they (the Council) would not be better served by paid servants than they had been by the Volunteer Brigades. For although the Brigades were volunteers, the Councillors were their masters. He called upon his comrades to-drink tb.e toast hj had named. .

The toast was duly honored by all present. • The Mayor returned thanks for himself, and said no doubt the other Councillors present would have something to say in reply. As for what Superintendent Macdonald had said, he did not think they (Councilors) deserved any thanks. What they had done had been in their owe interest, and as representatives of the public. The people were bound to do all they could to help the Brigades. He returned his sincere thanks for the manner in which the toast had been received.

Cr Ehrenfried said, since it was necessary for each one of the Councillors present to reply, he would thank them for the hearty manner in which the toast had been received. He might say that between the Committee of the Council and the representatives of the Fire Brigades the greatest unanimity had prevailed, which must be pleasing to every one. - ■ Cr Benshaw could only express his thanks for the cordial feelings expressed. The Committee of the Council had done their best to work well with the Brigades, and they had been successful, tie was glad to see such a good understanding existed. He noticed that difficulties were constantly cropping up in other places between the local bodies and the Fire Brigades, but they had avoided them here. The arrangement under which they worked so well together was his own suggestion. It was for a Committee of three from the Council and two from each Brigade, and they met together and talked over the requirements before they were brought before the Council, to which was in a measure due the amicable feeling that existed. The Council had never refused any reasonable request of the Brigades—no doubt because their requests were reasonable. They were all working together for the public - some in one way, and some in another ; and it required a large amount of public spirit to induce them to leave the attractions of home for their public services. He did not thiik there was any local organization which had done its duty better than the Fire Brigade. Cr Macnab said he b,ad little to say in returning thanks, but he hoped the time would come when the Borough Council would be able to do more for the Brigades. At present the expense £was about £300 a year. He would like to see them in a position to double that amount. The Fire Brigades were entitled to the best thanks of the Council and the public for their promptitude in' attendance at practice and whenever the fire-bell rang. He could speak more especially to the energy of the Shcrtland Brigade, a3 they were near his own place, and he had noticed their alacrity in turning out almost before the belb had fairbr commenced ©v an alarm of fire. Waat the Council had done was only what was expected of them. Cr Bowe said he would be brief. They had tried to do their best in the past, and would try and do so in the future.

T&e Mayor said he had then to propose the toast of the evening,' and he could have wished it had bpen in better hands. However, all would give him credit for this much, that what he might say he meant. It was not flattery, but he would say what he felt, and he believed it would be endorsed by every citizen of the Borough. The toast was "The Borough Fire Brigades." On locking round at the faces and forms before him, he could say that the Brigade would compare favorably with any sirrlav body i.a

New Zealand, and for efficiency, judging by his, experience in watching practices elsewhere, he could say that he had never seen men working better. Their apparatus was kept in good order and repair, as he could testify, his duties requiring him constantly to inspect the same. The Brigades were entitled to their best thanks and support. The labor, toil, hardship and dirt they had to endure was something different to that of the soldier, who went to his parade clean and left it in the same state. They had to go out after the labor Ol the day was over to practice, in order to make themselves perfect in their duties. No inducements were held out to them as to other volunteers, but he. thought something should be done in this direction. Other volunteers had their badges of merit —in some instances by the dozen. Could they not do something of the kind for the firemen ? If the officers of the Brigades would suggest something they would be met with a hearty cooperation. They had met that night to do honor to the occasion, and they would do all they could to that end. He would conclude by asking them to drink to the Borough Fire Brigades.

The toast was drunk with spirit by the guests; the Band singing " They are Jolly Good Fellows." . Superintendent Macdonald said it was scarcely his office to return thanks, but he had assumed it, sod returned thanks for himself and brother firemen for the manner in which the toast had been proposed by the Mayor, and responded to by those present. He would not detain them, but would merely ask them to drink one. more toast, namely, "Host Curtis," for the handsome spread prepared, and the Band for their voluntary services. The toast was duly honored. Superintendent Young proposed the local press in complimentary terms, and there was then a general movement to prepare for THE DANCE, which was held in the Academy of Music and was attended by about 50 couples. There was a programme of eighteen dances provided, and Seed's Quadrille Baud supplied excellent music. The attendance was not so large as it would have been had the weather continued fine,.but the company present appeared to enjoy themselves, and" the dance was an appropriate termination to the proceedings of the day, as it enabled the lady friends of the firemen lo participate to some extent in their anniversary celebration. :-