United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand.
Backmark: E. Stillwell & Son London.
According to the Encyclopedia of NZ: “Its crest is framed by English oak leaves on the left and the New Zealand southern rātā on the right. To the left of the fire fighter is the British coat of arms, an indication of the origins of most volunteers at the time. The coat of arms on the right incorporates a fireman’s helmet and crossed axes, with the legendary bird, the phoenix, rising out of the ashes of destruction.” (Nancy Swarbrick, ‘Fires and fire services – Early fire services’, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ephemera/21864/united-fire-brigades-crest )
It was founded in December 1878 by nine brigades.
Otago Witness, 21st March 1917 page 32 (supplement).
Note: ‘E. Stillwell & Son, London’ were, according to their own description, “manufacturers of gold and silver lace and embroidery, military & naval appointments, cork helmet and cap makers, sword cutlers and die sinkers.” Starting around 1825, the firm became “& Son” around 1852 and traded until around 1957.
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