New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-18
4 JUBILEE BONFIRE.
DETAILS OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND
FIRING OF THE MALVERN BEACON.
From Tie Birmingham Post.

From Tie Birmingham Post
The general arrangements were in the hands
of committee of which Colonel Twyman, h
E. was chairman. and h. NevInsOn secre-
tary and the construction OF the bonfire was In
trusted to T. Mccain, captain Of the NAL
vern Fire Brigade, who drew up design on
readily Ineligible principles. In the first place,
an iron pipe twelve inches in diameter and hlled
with concrete formed the core of the structure
and with this guarantee for the stability OF his
work Mr.. Mccain proceeded TO build around II
a compact network Of railway seepers nine feet
in diameter and held in position by iron ties. a
ton # which were used. The interstices between
the seepers were filled in with gorse faggots.
broken tar barrels and other nhammable ma
terals. Around the base and almost halfway up
the central structure were placed large quanti-
ties of cordwooG. hop poles and faggots, broad
ening 1t out to fifty feet diameter. The material
employed amounted altogether to over hundred
tons, and included four hundred sleepers nVe
tons Of hop poles, five tons OF cordWood, Two
thousand faggots thirty tar barrels, and guam
tfty of more combustibles such as liquid and
sodfed petroleum. But it was deemed prudent
not 70 add these latter until almost the last mo-
ment.
The work of erecting the materials was COM
menced about fortnight ago, since which time
six men have been busily employed on it. The
public have been permitted to ascend the column
during the past week on payment Of a small
fee, and have thus been able to see 1t gradually
mounting. and at the same time to enjoy mag
nifcent view Of the surrounding country, from
an eminence hitherto unattainable on the NAL
vern range 1t should be explained that the local
committee have had valuable assistance from
several neghboring landowners and others not
ably Lady Emily Fo,ey. Earl Heauchamp. Sir f.
Lechmere and b. Bright who have made
handsome contributors Of material for the blaze
The hauling. though not formidable task
would at first sight appear, was. nevertheless
a very considerable Item and the Urban District
Council availed themselves Of the provisions Of
the Local Government Boards recent order to
render all the assistance they could in this d.
rectCn.
The torchlight procession up the hill. which
was such picturesque feature Of the 1887 cele-
bratiOn, was not attempted this year, experience
having taught that the brillancy Of the spectacle
was a totally inadequate compensation for the
large amount of damage which the gorse and
heritage suffered. Moreover. the Hills Conserv-
ators would only give their consent to the bon
fire on receiving indemnity in respect Of any
damage which might be done to a refreshment
hut at the summit Of the hill. The committee
gave the required guarantee. and took measures
to protect the structure with galvanized iron
sheeting But fortunately the wind was not in
a quarter to threaten>its integrity. number Of
men engaged by the COnservancy on the
hill to prevent damage as far possible result
ing to the surrounding property. and their efforts
were seconded by band Of honorary officials
The bonfires which at nightfall were, lighted
on a tn )usand hills. from Southampton Water to
the northernmost heights Of Scotland and from
the Wash to the western shores OF the Atlantic.
Internationally constituted one Of the most dra-
matte and inspiring features Of the commemora-