The Argus (Melbourne) on the 9th and 10th of November 1881, ran the following editorials about the Intercolonial Fire Brigade Demonstration and Competition:
SYDNEY, WEDNESDAY 9th NOVEMBER, 1881.
The Intercolonial Fire Brigade demonstration was attended by 6,000 persons. The proceedings opened with a procession through the city, in which about 29 brigades with 17 fire-engines took part. The weather was dull throughout the day, but the rain held off. The programme consisted of eight events, and it was originally intended that all should be decided to-day, but so much time was lost before the first event and during the subsequent intervals between the contests that only four were decided. The remaining four will be contested to-morrow. The competition was keen, and excited much interest.
FIRST EVENT.
Four men from each brigade competing, with two lengths of leather hose, each 40ft. long, at one delivery to throw a stream of water over a rope 20ft. high. First prize, the Australian Mutual Fire Insurance Company's trophy, valued at 25 guineas, and four gold medals.
1. No. 8 Sydney Volunteer Company, 36m. 4-10s.
2. No. 1 Sydney Volunteer Company, 39m. 4-10s.
3. Ballarat City Brigade, 89m. 8-10s.
The other brigades competing were the Ballarat, Woolahra, Mount Lachlan, Sandhurst City, No. 2 Sydney Volunteer Company, Corowa, South Sydney, Redfern, and Glebe.
SECOND EVENT.
Ladder Race, for first preze a silver cup, presented by Superintendent-General Fox; two men from each brigade to run 50 yards, and the one to mount the ladder tho Quickest to be declared the winner.
About 36 competitors, representing various brigades, contested this event. In the first heat Frederick Payne, Hotham brigade, and William Squires, Corowa brigade, tied, both performing the feat in 10s. 6-10thB. The running off resulted in Payne doing the work in 10s. 8-10ths, and thus gaining the first prize. Squires took second prize, being one second longer than Payne. There was also a tie for third place between Robert Lowday, of the Geelong Salvage Corps, and H. Sharp, of the Ballarat City Brigade. In the run-off, Lowday did the work in 9s. 8-10ths, beating Sharp, and gaining the third prize.
THIRD EVENT.
Engine Practice. Eight men belonging to each competing brigade to run 100 yards to an engine; then attach four lengths of canvas hose, each 50ft. long, to the engine, and throw a stream of water over a rope 20ft. high.
1. Corona Brigade (47s. 6-10ths)
2. Redfern Brigade (58s.)
3. Ballarat Brigade (59s.)
The other competing brigades were South Sydney, Ballarat City, Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Sydney Volunteer Companies, Sandhurst City, and Mount Lachlan. A protest was entered against the Corowa Brigade. It is of an unimportant nature, and is not yet decided.
FOURTH EVENT.
Steam-engine practice. First prize, a Cup, presented by the Lion Fire Insurance Company. Competitors to put an engine to work and to throw water over a rope 20ft. high, branchman to stand 60ft. from the rope.
For this event there were only two competitors, the Ballarat Brigade and No. 2 Sydney Volunteer Company. Ballarat used an engine obtained from the Insurance Companies' Brigade, and performed the work in 12m. 4a., beating the Sydney brigade, who took 18m. 44s. to accomplish the same work.
SYDNEY, THURSDAY 10th NOVEMBER, 1881.
The Intercolonial Fire Brigade Competition was continued today at the Prince Alfred Park. Though the weather was cool and pleasant the number of spectators was very limited, but there was a large attendance of firemen. The following are the results of the undecided portions of the original programme: —
FIFTH EVENT
Hose Reel Practice, for eight men.
1. Sandhurst City Brigade (62 2-10s)
2. Ballarat City (65s)
3. Ballarat (85s)
The Geelong and Simpson's-road Brigades also competed. The event was keenly contested. At first the Sandhurst City and Ballarat City Brigades tied, each performing the work in 65 4 10s. Ballarat City then accomplished it in 65s. Sandhurst City also ran and went through the various manoeuvres in what was undoubtedly excellent time. The timekeeper's and judge's box were crowded, and, unfortunately for the Sandhurst City, some one pushed against the timekeeper before the competitors had completed their task, causing the chronograph to stop. After an interval the brigade repeated the running and movements, and scored a victory by accomplishing the work in 62 2-10 sec. Their performance was much applauded.
SIXTH EVENT
Disabled Ladder Race
1. Simpson's-road Brigade (60 8-10s)
2. Albion Brigade (61 5-10s )
3. Mount Lachlan Brigade (61 6-10s)
The following brigades also competed: —
Geelong, Ballarat, Newtown and Chilwell, Woolahra, No. 2 Volunteer Company (Sydney), Sandhurst City, Sandhurst Temperance, Hotham, Ballarat City, Redfern, Hawthorn.
Sources:
- Picture - Intercolonial Fire Brigade Competition, at Prince Alfred Park Sydney (1881, November 26). Illustrated Sydney News and New South Wales Agriculturalist and Grazier (NSW : 1872 - 1881), p. 13.
- Intercolonial Fire Brigade Competition: Wednesday 9th November, 1881 (1881, November 10). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5.
- Intercolonial Fire Brigade Competition, Thursday 10th November, 1881 (1881, November 11). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 7.
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