1896 - Competitions

Papers Past, Star, 6 March 1896, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION.

The arrangements for the annual demonstration and competition of the New Zealand Fire Brigades, which will take place in Christchurch next week, are now completed. Several of the northern representatives have already arrived, and it is expected that all the outside brigades, numbering some 370 representatives, will be here by Saturday. Arrangements have been made by the General Committee for the accommodation of the visitors at the different hotels in town. The proceedings will commence with a church parade of all the brigades at St Paul's Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. on Sunday, In the afternoon the visitors will be taken to New Brighton and Sumner, the various tramway companies having offered to carry them free of charge. The Sumner Fire Brigade has undertaken to provide afternoon tea for those who visit this seaside resort. The annual conference will open at the Caledonian Society's rooms in Hereford Street on Monday, when the visitors will be welcomed by the Mayor of Christchurch, and in the evening they will be entertained at a smoke concert at the Working Men's . Club, of which the whole of the visitors have been made honorary members during their stay. On Tuesday morning the conference will be resumed, and in the evening those who belong to the Masonic fraternity will be entertained by the ' members of the St Augustine Lodge. On Wednesday morning there will be a cricket picnic at Lancaster Park, and in the evening the United Brigades will give a water display. On Thursday the competition will commence at Lancaster Park, and in the evening there will be a torchlight boating excursion to Dallington, where refreshments will be provided and a display of fireworks will take place. On Friday the competition will be continued, and in the evening a banquet will be held at the Art Gallery, when the prizes won will be distributed.

Amongst the items at the competition will be a one-man manual engine (dry) event; a hose, hydrant and union competition for five men ; ladder rescue competition for five men ; manual engine competition for five men; bicycle, hose and hydrant competition for two men; hose reel flat competition for five men ; coupling practice for two men ; hose and ladder competition for two men; hose and hydrant competition for three men; ambulance work for teams of five men ; and a 250 yds race in working uniform.

A meeting of the members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade was held last night, Superintendent Smith in the chair. A detachment was told off to meet the members of visiting brigades at the railway station on Saturday evening, with a drag, for the purpose of driving them to their hotels. Other detachments were appointed to look after the general welfare of the visitors during their stay. It was decided to invite all ex-members of the brigade to attend the church parade on Sunday morning.

Superintendent Smith was elected delegate to represent the brigade at the annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association. [Per Press Association] AUCKLAND, March 5.

The Auckland Fire Brigade will be represented at the conference by Foreman Gladding, the Eden Terrace Brigade by Captain Butler, and Mount Eden Brigade by Firemen Champion and A. Dunn. Fireman Bowler will represent the Devonport Fire Brigade. The Mount Eden Brigade also intends sending down a team, consisting of Messrs Champion, Cowan, Vincent aud Swiinan, to participate in the general competitions. The members left for Lyttelton to-day by the Mahinapua, from Onehunga.