FIRE BRIGADE AND COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume X, Issue 2373, 6 May 1891, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADE AND COUNCIL.

Sir, —In reply to Councillor Keir's challenge m last evening's "Guardian." First—As to being a prominent member of the old Brigade and being instrumental m their disbanding, I beg to refer him to the " Mail" . or " Guardian ' of 15th December, 1885, m which he (m conjunction with Mr Caycill) signs, on behalf of the Brigade, a letter tendering the Bri* gade's resignation to the Council. I may also say that I have spoken to many members of that Brigade, and they have each and all informed me that Councillor Keir took a very active part m the matter. Second—As to "having the Brigade by the wool" cr words to that effect. I may state that the member to whom this was said openly repeated the same before a meeting of the Brigade, at, which some fifteen members were present, and at a further meeting of the Brigade, at which Councillor Keir came m the interests of peace, I myself challenged him with the assertion, and he then either could not, or would not, contradict it, but weakly answered he might have said such but did not remember doing so. If he had not said ifc why did he not then at once absolutely deny it, as he wsj,s fairly challenged ? And why does he now, after a lapse of about a fortnight, change ftont by giving an absolute denial, when he previously, with the advantage of fresher recollection, dare not go further than a statement that he could not remember ? I am willing to admit Mr Keir has a convenient memory.—l am etc., Jjro, J, C Quake, Lieutenant A,Y,F f B.