MOTORS FOR FIRE EXTINCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 137, 9 June 1905, Page 3

MOTORS FOR FIRE EXTINCTION.

REPORT BY SUPT. WOQLLEY. Messrs. T. H. Han and Co., as agents for a motor manufacturing firm, had before the Auckland City Council last evening a portion of a letter from their principals urging the adoption of motor fire-extinguishing machinery for the city of Auckland, and pointi7ig out that they had received an order from Melbourne for a "petrol" fire engine capable of delivering: 450 gallons per minute, and a "petrol" chemical fire engine, with two cylinders with a compound capacity of 70 gallons, and had already supplied motor fire machinery to Sydney. . Supt. Woolley reported as follows: "The Council possess a steam fire engine j of 450 gallons capacity, costing, with ac- j cessories, freight, duty, insurance, paekinpr. etc., £825. The catalogue price of j a "petrol" , motor of 300 gallons capacity i (the only one quoted) is £1000; freight, j duty, and insurance would bring . the j price to £ 1250. In purchasing a machine of this description the Council would have an engine of two-thirds the capacity of our present one at one-third j more cost. We should, however, have \ two less horses to feed. ... If any- I tiling goes wrong with the motor power! J the pumps are useless. In Melbourne, with ten more steamers and 37 'ior.se reels, this would not be a serious matter. In my opinion it is better, with only one steamer, to have it Oirawu by horses. Fire escapes should always be horsed. . . In regard to chemical motors. I cannot speak too highly of these raa- , chines for a brigade with a large staff or poor water pressure. They are easy to handle and discharge the contents of I the cylinders at about 2001b pressure. , jThey v are capable of dealing.with 70 per j cent, of outbreaks of fire. With, fires : with a good hold they are useless. . . . : ! The catalogue price of a 15 h.p. chemical • j engine (the same horse power the Coun- ' i cil have ordered for the brigade) 13 " I £650. charges to total oi £825." ' On the motion of the Mayor the letter : and report were received.