The feature of the evening was the procession of the Fire Brigade. The various companies were ordered to muster at the lower boat-howe at 9.15, where an immense concourse of foreigners and natives assembled to witness the start. With commendable punctuality the signal to start was given by Mr. L. Moore, the Chief Eegineer, and the procession, headed Cly the Town Band, with the boys' deum and fife band in the centre of the line, marched slowly up the Bund. Along the route of the procession an immense crowd was, congregated, every point of vantage being crowded to its utmost capacity. On the whole the crowd was exceedingly good-humoured and orderly, nothing in the shape of rowdyism making itself shown in ths slightest degree, and " clear route was kept for the procession with very little difficulty. At the head of the line wera the Mibholoongs, who turned out in great force, most of the past members of the company still resident here joining the ranks for the occasion. On the hook and Lidder truck was an immense dragon, which called forth many expressions of approval from the Chinese. The hose reels were appropriately decorated with lanterns. Next in order came the Hongkew Company with their engine and two reels, all very prettily decorated with flaxs, lanterns, and evergreens. In front of the engine were the British, American, and Danish flags, typical of the various nationalities of the members of the company. The Deluge came next with a number of gorgeous transparencies, conspicuous bel large portrait of the Queen. Following the Deluge were the boys of the drum and fife band, and next came the French Company' whose engine and reels looked exceedingly well. Last of all, though by no means least, were the Victorias, who certainly made the best show of all. The engine and reels were drawn by bluejackets from the Daphne, who were greeted with tremendous cheers all along the route. On the seat of the engine, Which was very tastefully decorated, was one of the members of the company very effectively dressed as Britannia, and on the sides were marines, bluejackets and a Sikh policeman, the latter personated by a member of the company. As the process sion passed along the Bund red and blue lights were burned and rockets fired, while the men-of-war threw the beams of their searchlights on the scene. The men merched as far the Kinleeyuen end of the French Bund, where they countermarched and returned to the starting place at the boathouse. The men then broke off for a time and were regaled with refreshments in the grounds of the British Consulate, where the healths of the Queen and Sir Nicholas and Lady Hennen were drunk with cheers, after which each company marched to its respective engine house and dismissed. After halting in the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.