Charleston: Its Rise and Decline/Chapter 21
Chapter XXI.
THE TOWN BAND—THE FIRE BRIGADE.
THE original town band was inaugurated about 1869 and disbanded about 1879. It was one of the most valued institutions of its day, heading all processions, and being an essential feature of every public gathering. The members did not wear uniform, and their “civvies” were of a variety of styles. Its repertoire was not extensive, but its audiences preferred the old well-known tunes as, in our hearts, many of us still do. Those of us who were then young remember those parades, we have but to close our eyes to visualise such outstanding events in our early years.
The names of some of the bandsmen were:—Bandmaster, James Marris; Drum-major, Max Knudson; Cornopean, Edwin Perrett; Drummer, H. E. West; Side-drummer, Jesse Humphries; other players, Edward Baulke, Albert Trumper, Henry Rosenberg, John Marris, Albert Marris, C. Craddock, Arthur King, “Schmidt the fiddler,” W. Hampton, C. Holmes.
The Band was resuscitated about 1906, some of the members of this later Band being John Hampton, Alf. Parsons, —. Dwyer, Frank Higgins, J. Woodcock, P. Walsh, E. Brophy, Hartill, Sinclair, Bowes, J. Collins, Price, Kilmartin, Mitchell, Hanna, Woodger, Carson.
THE FIRE BRIGADE.
This was a volunteer body formed on 22nd July, 1869, the Provincial Council making in that year a grant of £150 towards the cost of procuring a fire-engine. A further grant was made of £75 in 1870, one of £50 in 1872, of £75 in 1873, and of £50 in 1874. The members of the first Fire Brigade Committee were: Messrs. McBeath, McCoy, Graves, Hardy, Nahr, Jackson, Masters, Donovan, Donne, and Horne.
The engine, which cost £200, was a manual affair operated by a see-saw framework with handles at both sides, and capable of throwing a stream of 200 gallons per minute to a height of 120 feet. It was housed in an open-faced building at the northern end of the Camp Reserve, and beside it was the fire-alarm bell. In later days, when no longer required for fire fighting, it was sold to Mr. J. P. Mitchell, who converted the frame and body into an express-wagon. In addition to the fire-engine, fire-buckets were provided and hung in convenient positions about the town. As there was no town water supply, all premises depending upon rain water, the engine could use only such as was obtainable from water-races and dams, of both of which there were several within the town boundary.
Considering that all buildings were of wood with, generally, scrim and paper linings, and open fire-places; and that all lighting was by candles or kerosene lamps, it seems remarkable that only four fires of any magnitude are recorded: one on 3rd November, 1869, in Prince’s Street West; the coal-seam fire of 1869; the fire of 1873 on the lower flat; and the Melbourne Hotel fire of 1904. The fire-engine had not arrived when the first two occurred, and the brigade had disbanded before the fourth.
Regarding the coal-seam fire, the District Engineer of South-West Goldfields, Mr. J. Henry Lowe, reported on 31st March, 1869: “A very troublesome contingency occurred at Charleston during the earlier part of the year. One of the coal-seams at the rear of the town took fire, either by accident, or more probably, the carelessness of persons passing the place. A large mass of coal was ignited, and the sulphurous fumes emitted from it was the source of very great annoyance: to the inhabitants and threatened to, if it increased, become insupportable. A contract was taken to extinguish the fire for £50, or nothing if attempts were unsuccessful. It appears that the fire was got under and no sign appeared for two months, so the money was paid. Shortly after, the fire reappeared, not only in the original spot but also at a distance of 40 or 50 
Wagon waiting for mail. C. Croawell, driver.
Letter delivery place before provision of a Post Office at Cape Foulwind.
On same site as old Post Office.
It is understood that Mr. Thos. Dwan was Superintendent of the Brigade, and in 1875 he and Mr. D. McBeath were appointed Fire Inspectors in terms of the Fire Inspectors’ Act, 1870.