Shortland Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3945, 20 August 1881, Page 2

Shortland Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The annual dinner of this Brigade was given last night in the shed, Pollen street. There was a capital attendance, the Chair being occupied by Cr Thomas Veale, supported on the right by Superintendent C. Moore, and on the left by Superintendent G. Price, of the Grahamstown Brigade. Among the guests were Cr Marshall, Messrs Morgan-Morris, Wiseman, McCullough, and T. Garrett, honorary member of the Brigade. The Vice-chair was filled by Captain West. An apology was read from Sergt.-Major O'Grady, who owing to another appointment was unable to be present.

After the good things were done justice to, the following toasts were given :— "The Queen and Hoyal Family," by the Chairman.

'•The Governor and the General Assembly," by the Chairman. A song followed by Fireman Smith. " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers " was proposed by Cr Marshall, after which Mr E,. Wiseman gave one of his very amusing songs " Johnny Q. and his mule." It is needless to say,that the song was well received.

Superintendent C. Moore proposed " The Local Governing Bodies " in a neat speech. He believed the Thames could boast of as intelligent a set of men at the head of local affairs as any town in the colony. The members of the Borough and County Councils and the Harbour Board had proved themselves well fitted for their positions. The Borough Council had, with the limited means at its disposal, done wonders, and if the Fire Brigades had not had greater help from the Council he believed it was not for want of the will, but from want of the means. The County Council had also done a great deal in the county districts, and if the Harbour Board had not done much it was for want of money. The toast was enthusiastically received, and " They are Jolly Good Fellows " followed.

Cr Veale returned thanks for the Borough Council, and said the Superintendent was correct in saying it was not for want of the will that more help .had not been given the Brigades. Cr Marshall also returned thanks for the Borough, and at sorao length referred to the works done by the several local bodies. He should like to see the Brigades better supported, and it occurred to him that the members of the Brigade ought to be freed from taxation. This was the custom in America, but he thought legislation was required on the subject. He regretted the calamity that had befallen the Thames, andhop^d that the £3000 voted by Government would assist in once more restoring the good road and pathways that had beeti the boast of the Borougii. He paid a compliment to the smartness of the men of the Thames Fire Brigades, saying they did their work aa well as some of the crack brigades of America. Captain West proposed "The Officers and Members of the Grraharastown Brigade." Superintendent Price responded, and proposed the toast of "The Officers and Members of the Shortland Brigade." He paid a compliment to Superintendent Moore, and congratulated the Brigade upon having so efficient an officer. Fireman Christy sang the " Irish Emigrant/ Fireman Kowe proposed the toast of " The Visitors," and referred in complimentary terms to the services of Mr Laurie, the Turncock, and Mr Wiseman, who-had always been a friend ot the Brigades.

Messrs Lawru and Wiseman responded. The latter in a neac speech, in which he mentioned his intention to solicit aid from the Thames amateurs to get up a benefit ,peformance for the brigades. He concluded ?'with his last local song, the " Flood."

The toasts of the " Ladies " and the " Press " were given by Firemen Christy and Ahier, and duly acknowledged, Mr McCuliough, in speaking of the assistance given the brigades, blamed the insurances companies for their want of liberality, and recommended the brigades to make an appeal at once to the head offices. He re tarred to the bill introduced by Mr Stevens, of Chrislcuurch, which provided that insurance companies should pay annually to the local authorities a sum not exceeding one-third of the entire cost incurred for tire prevention purposes. He regretted that the bill had been thrown out, but thought that the day would come when such a law would be passed. He, as an insurance agent, representing the Imperial Insurance Company, stated the Auckland manager, Mr cU'tustroug, had always expressed a

willingness to support the brigades, and on behalf of the company, he would send the Treasurer a subscription. Mr McCullough concluded by proposing the " Hon. Members of the Brigade," coupled with the name of Mr I homas Garrett. Mr Garrett acknowledged the toast, and suggested a canvass of the business people for subscriptions. The " Health of the Chairman " was next proposed, and drank with " He's a jolly good follow." Cr Veale, in returning thanks, proi raised a subscription on behalf of the 1 North British Company, and Mr Morgan Morris followed suit, as a mark of his appreciation of their voluntary services* Fireman Hartley said old friends should not be forgotten, and proposed " Absent Friends," coupled with the names of the late Superintendents Bull aud Macdonald. Mr Wiseman contributed several songs, after which " God t-ave the Queen 1' brought a pleasant, evening's enjoyment to a close.