FIRE BRIGADE CELEBRATION.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1151, 17 February 1874, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE CELEBRATION.

Last night the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade made a vigorous and gratifying demonstration. At eight o'clock p.m. the brigade in forco paraded in full uniform, and formed a torchlight procession, headed by the Brigade Brass Band, and having with them the engine and hose reel, decorated with evergreens and drawn by horses. The marshall being Mr Fagg, the veteran of the brigade, who conspicuous in uniform, and bearing a gold tipped baton, looked every inch a veritable drum-major. The tableau formed was most effective, the light of the torches bringing up in bold relief the brass mounted helmets aud scarlet uniforms of the brigade, and throwing a lurid glare on the buildings along the line of march. The cortege starting from the Engine Blouse paraded up and down Palmerston street aud the thoroughfares in the upper part of the township, returning to the Empire Hotel, where they partook of the hospitality of their leader, Captain John Hughes. The progress of the procession called from their homes hundreds of spectators, the entire population turning out to gaze on the unwonted spectacle. After returning to the engine house, the brigade was dismissed duty, and at 10 p.m. gathered again at the Masonic Hall, which had been appropriately decorated for the occasion, with flags, ferns, and floral devices.

THE BA.LL was the most successful assembly held in Westport for a long time past, visitors thronging to the festive hall from an early hour j tlie very novelty of tho event, apart from the assuranco of an enjoyable evening, attracting many. The ladies were present in full force and in toilettes remarkable, for elegance and variety. The gentlemen visitors irreproachably got Up in evening costume, and th« brigade members resplendent in their new gala uniforms. The ball-room arrangements, by the zealous forethought and assiduous attention of the stewards, were perfect, aud the new suite of

private rooms in the Empire Hotel, especially prepared for the occasion, formed admirable retiring and tiring ro >ms for the lady guests. The music as rendered by Madame and Mr Crawford and Messrs Mulqueen and Cummings was exceedingly good, and the twenty six dances on the programme were gone through with unalloyed pleasure and unflagging activity. The company danced the merry dance till daylight did appear, and even then the irrepressible agility of many tempted them to stand up for just one mure twirl on the light fantastic Popular opinion as freely expressed by many fair er ties present, averred that the ball was the correct thing, and where l.idies praise, masculine critics are discreet in their silence.