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AT THE FORKS OF THE GRAND a point 300 yards from a hydrant. Then at a signal, each would pull its reel-cart at a breakneck speed up to the hydrant, rapidly couple the hose, and then lay about 200 feet of hose in the direction of the hypothetical fire, all within about 6o seconds. And the hook- and-ladder company, with a new outfit built by Messrs. T. and S. Walker for $215, would pull its apparatus 300 yards, erect a ladder at the end of the run, and then hold it while a man ran up to the top rung. In March 1884, the new companies made their grand debut. A big fire broke out on Grand River Street, which, before it was finally brought under control, burned down Muir's dry-goods store, Chas. Sewell's confectionery store, and the whole block owned by Turnbull and Thomson. A few minutes after the alarm had been sounded, the companies appeared on the scene and quickly went into action. According to the Brant Review, some of their deeds approached the heroic. For example, Chas. Whitlaw, warden of the Star Hose Company, at a moment when the flames threatened to carry all before them, rushed into a dangerous position, flourished his trumpet like a field-marshall's baton, and cried: "My men, follow me!" For- ward his brigade charged to engage the enemy at close quarters. It attacked with a continuous and irresistible volley of water drops; while the "ladderites", flourishing axes, picks, and saws, pressed the attack from the flanks. Unhappily some of the hosemen were so excited that they blindly soused members of other brigades. For a moment there was a danger that they would all ignore their com- mon enemy and fight one another. During the following week, the council, which was delighted with their performance, ordered a supply of rubber coats, hats and boots. Before 10oo, two other improvements were made in relation to fire-protection. One was the installation of seven electric alarm- boxes, at a cost of $6oo. The other was a further reorganization of the brigades. A chief, a deputy-chief, and a teamster were ap- pointed, and seven men were engaged to sleep in the Town Hall, near some of the equipment. At last the people of Paris felt reason- ably secure against fire. Gradually, with the extension of the mains, an increasing number of householders asked for water-service. At first most of these had only one outlet, usually in the kitchen; but later they installed complete plumbing-systems. Thus did Paris get a water-works sys- tem and a flow of refreshing spring-water. Between 1goo and 1906, the Paris Fire Brigades distinguished themselves at a number of competitions, partly because many mem- bers of the brigades were also members of the lacrosse teams. For example, in August, 1903, three brigades went to Trenton. There the members won first place in the hose-reel race, first in the hook- 128 . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i*