The annual Parade of the local Fire Brigade was hel on Saturday afternoon, and there was a large attendance from each of the Companies. The muster took place on the French Bund at 2.30 p.m. in the presence of a large crowd of spectators, who were warm in their praises of the general smartness of the men. All being ready Chief Engineer Lewis Moore gave the signal and the Brigade set out for the Race Course ata swinging trot. Here, too, there was a very large attendance of the general public, who manifested a deep interest in the proceedings. Lots having been previously drawn the Torrent Ca. were first to enter for the Competition for the Challenge Shield, but owing to a mistake they retired from the competition. Last year a new reel broke and on this occasion Hongkew's reel refused to move in the Szechuen Road, when the competitors were on their way to the Bund to join in the procession. Mr. Taylor, Foreman of the Deluge Ca., at once came to the rescue and placed a truck at the disposal of the Hongkew Ca. The various exercises were very smartly carried out and elicited much applause from onlookers. When all had competed the Judges notified that the Hongkew Ca. were the winners, amid much applause, the time taken by the Hongkew Ca. 160} secs. having established record. The shield has been held in turn. by three of the other companies, the Mih-ho-loong, Deluge, and lastly, Lo Torrent, who carried it off last year. "The following are the results of the Competition First Exercise Second Third Fourth Total Penalties.
Grand Total 624 183} 193} The judges were the Foremen of the different Cos., and Messrs. A. E. Jones and Maitland were the official timekeepers, 'The members of four of the Shield Competition teams wer 'Hongkew, No 2.—I. Thomas, W. F. Cary, A. U. Belyea, W. Glover, and T. F. Earle; W. R. Kahler, foreman, 'Mih' Ho Loongs—Messrs. J. Jackson, G. Steward, F. A. Rickard, A. E, Cooper, and G. Bidwell; E. W.-Sharples, foreman.
Deluge, No. 4.—A. Sampson, W. Moffat, Campbell, H. R. Everall, and H.
Parkhill; W. Taylor, foreman.
orrent:—A. Berthet, L. Boccheciampe, E. L. Gilson, H. Guillbert and J. Haman Duval, foreman.
The Victoria Ca. had a scratch team under Mr. Gumpert.
Mr. L. Moore, Chief Engineer, introduced the winning team to Mr. J. A. Ballard, Chairman of the Fire Insurance Association, and said:—Mr. Ballard, I have very great pleasure in introducing to you, Mr. Kahler, Foreman of No. 2, the winning team.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.