OLD FIRE BELL GIVEN TO MOUNTAIN CHAPEL

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27733, 10 August 1955, Page 12

OLD FIRE BELL GIVEN TO MOUNTAIN CHAPEL

A Dominion-wide search for a bell for the inter-denominational chapel at Arthur’s Pass has ended. An old bell, which did duty in the St. Albans Fire Station many years ago, is being put in order by the Christchurch Fire Brigade, and will be installed in the chapel belfry. An anonymous supporter of the

chapel wrote to the Christchurch Fire Board saying that letters had been sent to many places, throughout the country. but nothing suitable had been found, and he thought the brigade might have a disused bell. That set the Chief Fire Officer (Mr L. R. Osmond) on the trail of the old St. Albans bell, and last evening he reported to the board how he had traced it.

“A rather remarkable coincidence," said Mr W: E. Olds, when the letter was read to the board. Several years ago some old bells had been sold from the Hokitika fire station. He had bought one for the Avonside Girls' High School, but it was not wanted there, and was now held by the Christchurch Post-primary Schools’ Council. "It has a history going back about 100 years and would be very suitable for Arthur’s Pass,” Mr Olds said. Mr Osmond then told of the bell he had located. Old members of the brithere had been a b® ll in St. Albans many years ago which had been sold for a nominal figure to an old member of the brigade who had since died. Mr Osmond found the fireman’s son, who found the bell and gave it for use in the chapel. “We have it in the ■workshops now," Mr Osmond said. "It needs a tongue, which we will provide, and we will try to condition it and get it right.’’