GISBORNE FIRE BRIGADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2510, 25 May 1909, Page 4

GISBORNE FIRE BRIGADE.

ANNUAL SOCIAL

The Gisborne Five Brigade s annual social, which was held in the Garrison Hall last evening, was a deemed success. The hall was decorated with bunting, and the stage was effootively adorned with a quantity of the brigade’s apparatus. About 150 couples wort' present, and danced until oailv morning to music supplied by Mr M ootton’s orchestra. Messrs A. Sawyer, SBroingun. S. Ledger, F. Lowndes, and G Kingston acted as Al.C.'s, and Messrs G. Lapidge and D. L. Ferguson as honorary secretaries. During the evening the Superintendent (Mr. J : lm 'n lev) presented Foreman G. M lldisli " ith a gold medal, the badge of the homuarv life membership of the New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Association, and Fireman McLaughlin with, a silvci bai, awarded to members of the brigade for each two years of service. A valuable gold bracelet, presented by the Brigade, was won by Miss McLaclilan. In making the presentation, the Superintendent. Air. John Townley, expressed regret that there had been no patriotic demonstration in Gisborne to celebrate Empire Day, but at the present fathering they would do what the\ cnold to fill up the gap. He was sure that he expressed the feeling of all present when he said that he appioved of the action of Sir Joseph Ward m presenting the British Government with one or two Dreadnoughts, if required. Those who had read the Home papers 1 recently would have noticed the remarks Sir Edward Grey, when lie stated that Germany was constructing 83 Dreadnoughts. When they were completed Germany would have the ' most powerful fleet ever seen in the world. This being so. England would bo compelled to rebuild her fleet completely. If not. she would have to take second place among the nations, and that was not to be thought of. 4 herefoie, thev should all be pleased at the Premier "of New Zealand’s action m presenting a Dreadnought. Sir Joseph had done the right thing in the right way and at the right time, for the present was a time for notion. Mr. Townley said he wished all present who approved of this action to give hearty cheers for Sir Joseph M aril. The cheers wore given with the utmost heartiness by all present, and, at the call of Mr. Townley, the whole assembly stood and, led by the band, saug the National Anthem.