The Daily Bulletin

Superb Street Show—Hospitality in the Houses.

The Honolulu Fire Department parade on Saturday afternoon was a grand success, each and every company making a creditable showing in their different accoutrements. The engines were as usual decorated with flowers and evergreens and the horses, with which every engine, hose cart and hook and ladder truck were provided either singly or doubly, were also similarly decorated. Approaching 2 o'clock, the hour of starting of the parade, the streets were lined with people eager to witness the procession. Promptly at that hour the brigade moved, headed by Fire Marshal John Neil and the Pioneers, consisting of picked men from each company and numbering 11 men. Immediately following these came the Royal Hawaiian Band with thirty seven musicians under Professor H. Berger.

The Chief Engineer, Julius Asch, and First and Second Assistants James H. Hunt and D. L. Kalawaia, came next. The Fire Police marshaled 14 men and looked neat in their white and black uniforms. The fine body of men were under the command of Lieutenant Bruns, owing to the necessity of Capt. Krouse's attention to the commissariat for the band and other companies. Engine Co. No. 1, under Foreman Robert More and Assistants J. D. McVeigh and Geo. Cavanagh made a brilliant complement to the parade, their engine and horses being literally covered with tropical tributes. Seated above the driver was the Mascot, Master Harry Nicolls, who looked and acted the picture of innocent childhood. This company mustered 24 fire laddies all told. Following No. 1 came Mechanic Engine Co.'s engine drawn by a pair of grays. This engine was also lavishly decorated with evergreens. Foreman W. H. C. Greig marshalled 33 men. He was ably seconded by Assistants Chas. Clark and Jas. Spencer. The miniature hose contingent of the company came after their seniors, drawing a small hose cart decorated and bearing the word "Aloha." They were joined by other youngsters during the procession, Engine Co. No. 4 with a complement of 43 men succeeded. Their engine was drawn by a pair of dray bays, and kept up steam throughout the parade, at intervals blowing a shrill whistle. Foreman Jas. H. Boyd and Assistants Peter Souza and Moses Kanahele creditably regulated their men.

Protection Hook & Ladder Co.'s truck bore the company's motto, "Where duty calls there you will find us," and was also a mass of evergreens, artistically intertwined. The hooks, who numbered 16 men, were under Foreman Geo. K. Norton and Assistant Henry Kaia. The line of procession closed with China Engine Co., with the heaviest complement of men, numbering 53 all told. Their engine bore evidences of the Flowery Kingdom style of decorations. Foreman Chang Kim ruled his men ably. The advertised line of procession was followed out to the letter.

The only stop was made at the Palace, where the department paid their respects to Her Majesty. The Queen, who stood on the steps of the Palace, was attended by His Excellency, C. N. Spencer, Minister of Interior, Major J. W. Robertson, Chamberlain, and Ladies in Waiting, besides others. The department marched around the building and on reaching the Palace steps came to a halt and gave three rousing cheers. After the Liliuokalani March, by the band, Chief-Engineer Asch ascended the steps of the Palace and presented the Queen with a letter, of which the following is a copy:

"To Her Gracious Majesty Queen LILIUOKALANI.

"I ask permission of Your Majesty to be allowed the honor of congratulating you upon the completion of the first year of Your Majesty's reign. May all the days of your reign be characterized by peace and prosperity:

"'On behalf of the members of the Honolulu Fire Department, I hereby express to Your Majesty their loyalty to and affection for the Queen.

"GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

His Excellency C. N. Spencer thanked the department on behalf of Her Majesty.

Three cheers were given with a vim. The different companies again gave three cheers as they retired. When Engine Co. No. 1 came, the foreman placed a bouquet of flowers in the hands of Master Harry Nicolls with instructions to present it to the Queen. The little fellow performed the service admirably, and the offering was graciously received by Her Majesty.

The only hitch in the parade occurred at the Palace, when a whiffletree of No. 2's hose cart snapped. This mishap, however, was speedily remedied and the procession moved Companies 4 and 5 were escorted to their houses, No. 1 halted at Fort and King streets, while the Masonic companies passed on to their quarters, and then marched home likewise.

AFTER THE PROCESSION.

When the several companies had returned to their houses, they paid attention to their respective annual banquets. A special collation was served to the Royal bandsmen in the engine room of Mechanic Engine Co., where Mr. T. Krouse of the Arlington House had a fine spread for them. When the musical souls had been made glad with good things, a large troop of youngsters that had gathered were regaled at the plenteous board.

Of the five companies the first to sit down in its own hall was the Hook & Ladder. Foreman Norton presided—the Chief Engineer and Assistants, officers of other companies, together with any fireman within hail who would accept an invitation, were welcomed to the feast. It was an elegant layout of well-cooked viands and beverages to suit all tastes. The Chief was cordially toasted, and in responding toasted the company.

The Fire Police having no hall of their own were put at a further disadvantage by finding at the last moment that their special banquet committee had been remiss. They were not to be behind the older companies, however, in the celebration. Mr. L. Toussaint having generously given up his own house for the purpose, a volunteer committee soon had a very creditable feast forthcoming. Many officers and members of other companies joined them, and with the famous minstrel, Ritman's, assistance a jolly good time of song and speech accompanied the banquet.

Hawaii Engine Co. No. 4's hall was crowded, the members and guests filling and re-filling two longitudinal tables and a cross table on the platform. Col. Boyd the foreman presided and among the guests were Prince Kalanianaole, Major Robertson, H. M.'s Chamberlain: Hon. A. Rosa, Mr. Walter Hill and others. Messrs. Rosa and Hill were among the speech-makers, their remarks being applauded to the echo. The latter urged the firemen's duty of loyalty to the Chief as head of the Department, and to the Queen as head of the nation. The banquet here was a fine combination of native style and foreign viands, with liquid refreshments of various kinds.

At Mechanic Engine Co. No. 2's hall there was also a splendid feast, beautifully decorated cakes, flowers, etc., setting off dishes of strong meats in great variety. Liquids flowed from champagne to ginger ale and soda water, the No. 2 boys believing in no half measures. Foreman Greig presided with much tact, his assistants, C. Clark and Jas. Spencer, ably seconding his efforts to make everything serene. Besides the executive officers of the Department there were present as guests Hons. P. Neumann and A. Young, Mr. Walter Hill, and officers and members of other companies. Speeches were made by Chief Engineer Asch, Messrs. Young, Neumann, Hill and others.

China Engine Co. No. 5 made a showing at the festive board in keeping with the never excelled appearance they always make on parade. Their banquet was on a sumptuous scale, such as well-to-do Chinese are accustomed to produce in domestic hospitality. The Chief and Assistants, Hons. C. W. Ashford and R. W. Wilcox, were among the guests who were honorably welcomed and who responded with remarks of praise for the company's exhibit in the procession as well as at the feast. Foreman Chang Kim had reason to be proud of his command, and is to be congratulated on their banquet.

Honolulu Engine Co. No. 1 began its feast the latest of any—at 7 o'clock. Assistant Foreman J. D. McVeigh presided at the entertainment, while Foreman More took general supervision of the details. A substantial and abundant repast was available and unexhausted throughout the evening. Chief Engineer Asch, Messrs. Neumann, Young and Hill, besides others, responded to calls for remarks. Songs and recitations—including efforts by the popular duo, Ritman and Charlock—made up the remainder of a pleasant evening.