DEVONPORT'S FIRE ENGINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 187, 8 August 1921, Page 6

DEVONPORT'S FIRE ENGINE.

It was a red-letter day in the history | of the Devonport Municipal Fire Brigade | when the Mayoress on Saturday, in a f> 'neat little speech, christened the new ' p J motor fire engine and named it "The | I Firefly." There was a large gathering f. \in Marine Square to witness the cere- [ ! mony. After the usual formalities had ' | 'been completed the Mayor, Mayoress, I J councillors, local representative on the I • Hospital Board, and other leading citi- t£ i zens mounted the engine and were drivea | lat top speed around the borough, climb- ■ X I ing some of the stiffest grades that could £ Ibe found. The siren was sounded at | j intervals during the tour, and interested | ' householders rushed to their doors to t . catch a glimpse of Devonport's latest £ . fire-flghting purchase. Later 25 firemen, I ■ under Captain A. E. Follas, were driveif I around Lake Pupuke in record time, the • i new acquisition coming up to fullest [ i expectations and meeting every test put i ! upon it. In the evening Mr. G. V. | J Pearce, chairman of the l-"ire Brigade | i Committee of the Borough Council, pre- f sided over a very large social gathering ! held in Ford's Rooms, when a fully c I • representative gathering of firemen from Vβ I many parts of Auckland province, as well/ : as residents in the borough, were present I to do honour and congratulate the local fire brigade on the new status it had obtained as now beina; classed as a firstclass brigade. Amongst those present y I were Mr. Alex Harris. M.P., the Mayor . j and councillors, the local representatives on the Harbour Board and Hospital Beard, Dr. Ilasen, Mr. Armstrong, of the Devonport public school, and many ffi" councillors, together with the presidents of the Ratepayers' Associations. Numerous toasts were proposed and honoured, and a capital musical programme was sone through. An anonymous resident has offered to lend the Council £1500 at 4 per wnt to meet the cost of the ne« fire engine.