A LOCALLY-MADE CHEMICAL FIRE ENGINE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11084, 1 October 1901, Page 5

A LOCALLY-MADE CHEMICAL FIRE ENGINE.

The double cylinder chemical fire engine for the Sydenham Borough Council, which has been constructed by Messrs W. Johnston and Sous, of "St. Asajph street, has been competed, and is a strongly built ami bandname vehicle. . The build and framework differ <*>nsiderabljr from the Christchurtb city's c3w>mical engine, -which, was imported from America. Mr Johnston ha* worked from specifications of. tie own after they had been approved by the Sydenham Borough Council, wftit the result that he jhae been able to fix tibe body of the engine four or five, incites lower than it ia on the city engine, although <foe wfceeie are the same height This will hare the effect of equalising the weight, and will prevent it being top-heavy. The whole of the vehicle and its furnii&ing*, with tihe exception of tfce hoee, whidi had to be imported, as none strong enough couCd be obtained locally, ■were inrflle in iSus city, th« copper cylinders having been constructed by Mr J. Mercer, coppersmith. The forecarriage , 'is one solid wrought-iron forging with springs attached, the other portion of tihe carriage is also one solid forging. AH $he patterns for the different castings had to be made, but despite this the ensine was completed in about four montiha. Ti* workmanship is Mghly creditable to the ma&ers. A trial of the new engine takes place at Sydenham this evening at eight o'clock.