Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3951, 27 August 1881, Page 2

Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The members of this brigade celebrated their ninth anniversary by a dinner, held last night at their engine shed. After the good things provided by Mr Barclay, ©f Brown street, had been discussed, Cr McG-owan took the chair, and proceeded to deal with a very long programme of toasts. The Chairman was supported by Crs Mennie and Bawdeu, Fire Inspector A. Price, and Captain Wildman.and there were also a number of hon. members and visitors present, including Messrs Symington, McCullough, Morgan Morris, Mr Wiseman, Mr Curtis Moore (Superintendent of the Shortland Brigade) and others. Mr Superintendent Price occupied the Vice-chair. The first toasts on the programme were " The Queen, Prince of Wales, and the Koyal Family," and " The Governor," all of which were duly honored.

Capt. Pearce made a lengthy speech in giving the " Army, Navy, and Volunteers." He did so in a most humorous and facetious manner, and kept his audience in roars of laughter.

Capt. Wildman responded

Fireman Mitchell sang a very good song, " The Union Jack of Old England."

Inspector A. Price followed with the toast of " The Local Governing Bodies."

Cr McGowan responded, and referred to the manner in which the brigades had been treated by the Borough Council. He said it was more owing to the want of funds than any want of inclination on the part of the Council that more assistance ha<i not been given the Volunteer Fire Brigades-

Cr Mennie, in a neat speech, endorsed his colleagues remarks, and said if the brigades had not been sufficiently helped by the Borough Council, their exertions were thoroughly appreciated by the citizens at large.

Mr McCuilough was called upon to reply on behalf of the County Council, and in doing so said while that Council had nothing to do with the support of the Brigades, yet the efforts of the men were none the less appreciated. He thought that it might be worth the while of the Treasurer to write to the County Council asking for a donation towards the funds, for it was well known that the brigades were at all times as williug to give their aid and assistance in Parawai, which was a County district, as they were to places within the boundaries of the municipality. Their willingness to protect the property of County ratepayers should be acknowledged. (Hear, hear.) if such an application were made he would undertake that it received attention at the hands of " his Council," for it was to be understood he was at the present time representing the County Chairman. He was sure Mr Brodie would concur with the suggestion made by him.

Engine-keeper Wright sang " Pull together, boys," and Mr Wiseman followed with his well known soog " The Flood."

In reply to the toast of " The Insurance Companies, 1' Mr McCullough concurred in the remarks of the proposer of the toast (Mr Wright), in that the Insurance Companies doing business on the Thames had not appreciated the efforts of the brigades or contributed fairly to their support. He undertook to lay the matter before the Associated Companies in Auckland, and recommended the secretary of brigade, and the Town Clerk, to write to the Auckland agents of the companies doing business on the Thames.

Secretary JBasham and Fimman Priest each contributed a song, aftor which Or Mennie gave the toast of l( The iShortland Brigade."

Superintendent Moore responded, and referred to the admirable feeling that existed between the brigades, considering the little spirit of emulation that was occasionally shown as being most commendable, and calculated to keep up the interest in the brigades and their eHi - ciency (cheers).

Several songs followed, after which the Chairman gave " The Grahams town Fire Brigade."

Superintendent Price responded, but handed over part of that duty to his Captain.

The speech made by that gentleman was certainly the best of the evening, and kept the Company iv laughter. He reminded those Councillors present that they might expect a call, for many of the men were badly off for clothing, "in fact, the coat he then wore was that made for his predecessor, Fireman Wright. He told an amusing story about the efforts of the brigade towards getDiug up a btdaa

bund, and, in fact, while he was speaking the laughter was incessant.

Other toasts followed—" The Scottish Band," " The hon. members and visitors,'' " The Fire Inspectors and the Police "— Mr A. Price aud Sergt.-Major O'Grady responding—" The Ladies," " The Press," and the health of the Chairman concluding the programme.