Summary

Jean Dartnall answers the question 'Why is this item significant?'

This silver cup belongs to the archive of the Townsville Fire Brigade Board. It carries five hallmarks providing information about its origins: H&T is the mark of the firm Hilliard and Thomason; Queen Victoria's head is a 'duty' mark that indicates the assay office had paid its taxes on the precious metals used to make the cup; the lion passant (right forepaw raised) indicates that it meets the English standard for Stirling silver; the anchor hallmark tell us this cup was made in Birmingham, England; and finally the letter 'i' shows that it was made in 1883.¹

The cup was donated by the chemist (pharmacist) firm Atkinson & Powell of Townsville to be awarded in competitions between the Fire Brigades of Townsville and Charters Towers. It came permanently to the Townsville Fire Brigade when they won two consecutive competitions, in 1884 and 1886.

The name Timla is that of a skin medication patented by this firm for treatment of prickly heat. The firm's success is indicated not only by the donation of this cup, but also by the substantial premises built for them in 1886 by Mr. Francis Powell's architect brother, Willoughby Powell. The building at 181-183 Flinders St, Townsville, is now heritage listed.

Fire Brigade competitions are designed to mimic activities that may be required of firemen during emergencies. Practice of these activities spurred by competition, either within or between brigades, is an important way to keep fire fighters in the best possible condition for their important work. Such competitions continue to be held.

The activities required in a particular competition varied and might include such things as:

• Hose lay, a race against the clock to connect hoses

• Hose roll, competitors race to roll up a length of unfurled hose

• Ladder climb, fastest time to the top

• Bucket brigade race, teams of competitors transfer a set amount of water from one container to another

• Competitors must move a barrel across the opposing team's line using water pressure from a fire hose.

The details of the competitions between Townsville and Charters Towers are not recorded but there is a lively account of the Charters Towers Brigade internal competition in The Northern Miner of 6 June 1885.² It started with a fine parade, including band, and included hose, reel and ladder competitions concluding with many cheers and rounds at the Crown Hotel, Charters Towers.

Competitions between Townsville and Charters Towers seem to have been conducted in the same cheerful spirit. After the competition, the Charters Towers Mayor provided a banquet for both brigades at Green's Royal Hotel, Charters Towers, with many speeches and toasts.