Farewell by Past and Prose "on the Soochow Creek: the Old Victoria Company A ceremony of a distinctly impressive nature took place at noon Just Thursday, when prior to its de-volition, the personnel" of the Shanghai Fire Brigade past and present gathered to say farewell to the old Victoria Station in Soochow Road. The proceedings were inaugurated by a reception give by the Acting Chief Officer and the present members of the Brigade to the Past members, as well as to their comrades in Lo' Torrent Companies Nos, 1 and 2,, and the Fire Brigades of Tungkadoo and Chapei, and this proved to be a wonderful re-union of those who in the past had done this branch of volunteer The principal guest was Mr. Brodie A. Clarke, the original} foreman of the Victoria Ca., and between 20 and 30 former members of this unit, one or two of whose] term of service dated a quarter of a century back, were present, Members of the other units—Mih-Ho-Loong, Hongkew and Deluge—attended, among them many ex-! foremen' and ex-officers, and these were duly received by Captain. J. Gordon Dyson and his assistants. The Municipal Council was represented by Mr, P. W. Massey, and the: Volunteers by Col. Gordon, c.01.c.
180, Pioneer Work in the Brigade Addvessing the gathering, Captain Dyson said:—As this hi is shortly to be demolished and holds many "old! associations for a number of you—No. 7 Company (Victorias) particular—wy, the members of this brigade, thought it would he a fitting opportunity to usk you to come and meet us today to sy "'good-bye" to one of the landmarks of the Brigade, This station, although perhaps of somewhat short existence (27 years), has undoubtedly been of great service to. the community, and, from a sentimental point of view, it fv with sorrow that we say "goodbye." But, gentleman, on the other hand, the Settlement "in which we live is constantly growing, provements have to be made to meet that growth, and this is one of the necessary changes, Well, itis indeed a great pleasure)
tio present embers of the Brigade to welcome you all. partic ularly those volunteers who have one pioneer work in the past and have made a name for the service which we will endeavour to uphold during our generation to the sati" faction of the Council and the community in general (applause).
T would also like to express the} pleasure we have in having with us M. Lo Commandant Chapeau and s0 many members of Lo Torreut Company past and present (Nos. 1 and 2 Companies), and I would say} that our friendship is that of the, very best, and we are only. too ing to render mutual assistance and support in any emergency.
1 would also extend a hearty welcome to our friends the members of the Chinese City, Chapel and Tungkadoo Fire Brigades, whom we fare always pleased to see, would like to say how sorry 1 an fand I know you will share that!
ow, at the absence ex-Chief Engineer Bidwell, of the Mi. Ho-Loong Company ' and ex-Foreman} Thomas Bowern, of the Hongkew Company, who are both unable to be present owing to illness, and T propose with your permis send letters expressing the regret of the company present that they, are unable to be with us to-day, and to hope that they will speedily et over their illness (Hear hear).
Members of the Shanghai Fire Brigade, I ask you to raise your glasses and drink to the Chairman of the Council, Councillors and comrades of the Fire Service, past and present, and I couple the name of Mr. Brodie Clarke, the oldest fireman in Shanghai, and who was the first Foreman of the Victorias in 1871, The toast was enthusiastically: honoured, whereafter Captain Dysen. there would be a little scrapping, but after that they would get on with mentioned that thanks to the courtesy of the San Sing Cotton Manufacturing Ca. they had wit them the original fire engine of the Brigade which was purchased 1867,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.