Shortland Fife Brigade.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4308, 21 October 1882, Page 2

Shortland Fife Brigade.

The anniversary of the Shortland Fire Brigade was celebrated by a supper at the Oddfellow's Hall last night. The brigade, as a matter of course, mustered in strong force. Cr Carpenter presided, and Mr Wes", superintendent of the Brigade, occupied the vice chair. Amongst-the visitors were Cr Speight, Messrs jHmes Rensbaw, Thomas Garrett, Richard Wiseman, J. R. Stone, and S. C. Schofield, and apologies for absence from sereral gentlemen were received. A number of excellent speeches were made. Mr Renshaw said he was in favor of the two brigades, and he always bad pleasure in attending this annual banquet, which was the only invitation of the kind he ever accepted. He advocated a consolidation of the local bodies, being of of opinion that we are too much governed. Cr Speight dwelt upon the efforts put forth by Crs Veala, Marshall, and himself in the Council on behalf of the Brigade, and said he was satisfied that two brigades were better than one, inasmuch as the Thames was like a line—length without breadth, —and one was not sufficient to reach all points of possible fires in good time. Mr Ahier, the secretary of the Brigade, gave the history of the past year. He said the Brigade was quite willing to amalgamate with the Grahamstown Brigade if they had had a fair chance in the election of officers, but seeing they would be outvoted they declined. As the amalgamation was urged on the ground of retrenchment, and they had been asked what they would maintain themselves for, they calculated they could, get £30 or £40 subscriptions in Shortland, £25 from insurance companies, and could therefore do with £70 a year from the Borough. They made an offer accordingly, which the Council accepted. He learned that the usual £50 was re ceived from the insurance companies by the Borough, but although half had been paid to the Grahamstown Brigade, the other half had been impounded. Well, as this money was intended for the special use of the brigades, if their share were not handed over, the Borough would have to dispense with tb^ir services. Some good songs were sung, Mr Basham, who represented the sister brigade, contributing "The Brave Old Oak. Mr Wiseman also helped the hours to pass lightly on their wing through his humorous local songs and recitations. Altogether a very enjoyable evening was spent. The viands were excellent and served up in good style by Mr James Forgie. -