Since 1895 competition for the Fire Insurance companies' challenge shield has been an annual event of first importance in the history of the Ehanghai Fire Brigade, and interest was as keen as ever in the twentieth contest which took place on the Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon. The French Brigade was represented, but was unfortunately unable to compete this year, and the "call to arms" had also deprived the other companies, Mih Ho Loong, Deluge, Hongkew, and Victoria, of some of their best team men. Those who did take part, however, gave a good account of themselves. The contest was watched by a big crowd of spectators, and they were en! i with a most interesting two hours' programme. The shield was won by the Mih Ho Loong company, in what must be very near record time, and thus after an interval of five years their name again goes on the shield, and for the fourth time The Deluge company, which has won the shield on ten occasions since 1895, could only gain second place, The conditions of the competition Were as follow:
Event No, 1.—lat stage. of hose No. 2 hydrant, knock down 3 iareets 20 Stage. Uncouple one length from breeching piece, and. length off No. 2 hydrant, both lengths to be coupled to remaining those off No. 1 hydrant and knock down 1 target, "After event, branch pipes not used in 2nd stage to be returned to square.
2—Start from square, 25 ft.
and 3 scaling ladders to be ken and pitched against structures,—Ajax ladder against 20 ft. and scaling lad. der against 15 ft. structure. One 50 ft. length to be taken from square, coupled to breeching piece, run out, and taken up scaling ladders. "Disconnect 4th length, take remaining two lengths up Ajax lad. der, knock down 2 targets. After event, hose to be left in position with branch: pipes over to—Two men to be in position at top of ladders and water turned on before the word: Go" la given, remainder of team in square. Assume the 100 ft. length off hydrant is broken and replace by a new length from square and Knock de 2 targets.
After event hose to be taken down from. ladders and branch pipes laid with nozzle on bottom rung.
Event No. 4.—Start from square, disconnect breeching piece and couple to hydrant No. 1. Connect 100 ft. length off breeching piece to line of hose leading to Ajax ladder and up scaling ladders. Connect two remaining 60 ft. lengths to the other side of breeching piece and knock down 2 targets.
The competing teams were Mih-ho-loong Ca. No. 1—Foreman R. 'W. Skinner, Firemen A. J. H. Carey, R. A. Stuart, W. N. Lowe and D. Campbell, and Ist Ass. Foreman H. H. Lennox (Captain).
hongkew Ca, No. 2.—Iat Assistant Foreman, T. Hutchison, 2nd Assistant J. E.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.