The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-02-09
Parade of the Fire Department.

The Annual parade II the Honolulu Fire De-
partment took place on Thursday last. The pro-
ceSsion formed at 10 A. N. at the corner Of Fort
and Hotel streets, according to previous no.
tice. every company being on hand in large force.
with their engines ami carriages iasiefuy decosa-
ted 1t was observed by many who had seen
| parades Of the Fire Department in former years,
that their appearance on this occasion was fully
equai 10 that on any former occasion. After pa
rading through the principal streets preceded by
the Honolulu Band, the procession proceeded to
/ the residence of the Chief Engineer C. E. vii
| hams, where to the great astonishment of the
Firemen they found a splendid collation. laid for
their entertainment besides that Of large num-
Der Of guests, among whom were the crown Min
listers the Captain and Officers Of the Donau the
Governor Of 0ahn. and many of our prominent
citizens. The fremen did not seem to take Of
Tense with the little deceit Of Mr.. Williams, in
furnishing them such fine display of eatables.
without giving them notice. The fact is, they
rather grati6ed with the course things were
taking, being confident all the time that they
were about to give their Chief quite as great and
fully as pleasinga surprise. All the guests of the
Chief Engineer being seated around the tables.
Mr.. j. A. Messenger, the LIST Assistant Engineer
arose and remarked, that 3" 1t was always custom
airy on occasions like the present, to say some
thing before eating, and in order not to be singu-
lar in this respect, be would call upon His Excel
leney the Minister Of the Interior, 20 make few
remarks"
His Excellency arose, and in the name of the
Fire Department, presented the Chief Engineer
with beautiful gold medal, which had been
made for the purpose, By Mr.. Eckart The fol-
lowing are the remarks of His Excellency on the
occasion:
rade of the Fire Department Of Honolulu have
been requested by lis officers and members TO repre-
sent them, in presenting 10 you memorial, honor
able to yoursefand TO them OF the esteem in which
you are held by the Department
While fully approaching the honor they have done
me IN making ine their spokesman and one of the
principal actors on this occasion, fear that NAV
not express in adequate language the sentiment OF
regard towards yourself, which animates every mem
Der OF the Brigade.
You sir, have been selected TO your honorabla
post by the free suffrages of your fellow remen al
several elections, thereby receiving proof of their an
probation OF your fitness to command as well as
iathiuhess 10 Inc discharge OF the duties imposed
upon you
You sir, stand in the position of commanding
officer, TO army, self devoted end self sacrihcn
prepared at all times TO battle with the most deter,
mined and destructive enemy that takes advan-
tage of circumstances To lay waste aud destroy the
property snd homes, aot only Of yourselves but OF
the community, OF which you and your comrades are
members, and may say guardians.
You stand ready in your voluntarily assumed du-
lies, 10 save US from conhagrations that unchecked
might sweep our whole city; ready Ut the risk Of
your own llNes 10 save the lives of Others ready in
the moment OF trial 10 endure toll aud fatigue with
uDfiinehing nerves and muscles and with stout
hearts and tlreess arms TO combat the common toe
until il Is subdued
You become the protectors of the persons and
property OF the public IN this vocation, enduring
cheeriuly danger ana toll and giving your services
without money or hope Of reward, except in the
praise oil your fellow eitizens and that Of your own
good conscience.
The freedom OF our city from destructive fires and
admirable Organization of our Fire Department dis
played to-day ~ Its annual parade bears ample evil
denee OF an efficiency and preparedness equal to any
emergency.
Mr. Chief Engineer: The Firemen themselves pro.
pose 10 honor you to-day IN the presentation, OF
this beautiful medal which | am about 10 hand TO
you. they express TO you at once their praise and
their regard Keep il memorial OF their esteem:
treasure II as their tribute to your personal worth
ana your AFFINITY as Chief of the Fire Department;
pass II down 10 your children the honorable and
valuable evidence OF your comrades appreciation OF
the fitness OF their choice in eectiug YOU as their
,
Gentlemen OF the Fire Department now present
your beautiful gift your Engineer in Chief and in
order That It's value may be enhanced TO Mr.. VIII
liams If possible request the wife of ynur Fir,
Assistant Engineer, Mrs HRssnger to aseu it ON his
breast
Mr.. E. II. Boyd then read His Exeellency's
remarks in native.
Like the Firemen, the Chief Engineer, although
taken completely by surprise. did not seem to be
dispieased, and, although surprised was not in
the least Disconnected as to the following reply
to the presentation proves:
BROTHER FREMEN: l asked You here TODAY.
upon this, the last similar occasion upon which
expect to bear my present relation toward YOU in
tending 10 surprise you with this lunch which
have prepared Tor your entertainment / find that
you have prepared greater surprise Tor me in this
beautiful medal. / know the feeling which has
prompted you in presenting me with this mark of
your regard, and though il is both beautiful and
valuable OF ITSELF shall prize it only for that feel.
ing. And it will be my pride to guard it saeredIy
myself, and 10 hand it down to my children as me
meutO OF regard, IRON those who have ALWAYS sfood
by me aud BY themselves, doing their duty naufully
whenever called upon. The citizens of Honolulu
are fortunate Ia having you 10 protect their property
and II has been my pride, that You have deemed ms
worthy to be your Chief for long period and
Fellow Fremen that you have this day presented me
with this beautiful medal is another proof that my
efforts TO make myself worthy of the trust you have
reprosed IN me, have not been entirely without the
desired result.
Fellow Firemen: have but one regret TO express /
in regard to your beautiful gift regret that itdoes
bear engraved upon it, the motto OF every Fire Com
pany, and the name OF every Firemen in Honolulu
Chief Engineer Williams then invited his 4
guests to partake OF the refreshments which we're /
before them, an invitation which none refused.
The health of His Majesty was proposed by the
Chief Engineer aud was drank with three hearty
cheers. His Excellency the Attorney General
eloquently responding to the toast, gave in con.
ciuslon, TIE Chief Engineer and the Fire De
partment of Honolulu . this toast was loudly
'heered Assistant Engineer Hassinger respond
ng IN few happy and appropriate remarks
After an hour past agreeaby the FIRE compa-
Mes repaired to the several places where they
lad made provision for the entertainment of
and friends, and where they passed the
afternoon. 1t would be difficult to determine which
II the several companies had the finest appearing
ooms or tents as each was very tastefully deco
ated. One thing the citizens of Honolulu may
'e proud OF, that they have a Fire Department
which Is most effective IN protecting themselves
nd property aud the members Of which can pass
DAY such as this anniversary IN u pleasant and
uipt n.aunar uifh mona nF tho