COMPETITION, The annual competition for the challenge shield presented to the S.F.D, by the Fire Insurance Companies doing business in Shanghai took place on the Public Reeretion Ground on Saturday afternoon, before a large gathering, including a number of ladies.
The companies mustered on the French Bund at half-past two, and after a photograph had been taken, a start was made at about 3 o'clock for the Race Course. An accident occurred at the outset to the Mih-ho-loong's new hose reel, the axle breaking through a fow in the iron as it was being driven up the French Bund to fall into its place. Fortunately it was travelling at a low rate of speed, or the consequences to the men on the reel might have been serious. There were four engines, ten hose-reels and the two hook and Indder trucks of the Mih-ho-loong present. On arriving at the Loongfei gate the procession divided, the competing reels going on to the Recreation Ground.and the engines and spare reels being dravra up along the Lots were drawn by the foremen of the different companies for order of precedence in the competition, the first to compete being the Hongkews. The drill was the same as that of last year, ie. first, attach two lengths of hose to hydrant and play second, screw on double goose-neck to hydrant, attach two more lengths of hose and play third, replace broken length (the length farthest from reel) and play with the addition of-reeling up all the hose in. use, rolling up broken length separately and placing it on.the reel, The
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.