“The Press” In 1864

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30629, 21 December 1964, Page 12

“The Press” In 1864

DECEMBER 21 REPORT In obedience to the resolution of the City Council passed at their meeting on Monday evening, 12th instant, appointing us a committee for reporting upon the most desirable way of carrying into effect the appropriation of the site of the old Immigration Barracks, we have given the subject careful consideration, and now desire to lay before you this our report. The whole of the available space to be appropriated, starting from the eastern boundary of the gaol, is 150 feet from west to east, by 47 feet north and south; out of this we recommend that that portion adjoining the gaol, with the buildings as at present thereon, and known as Mr Smith’s rooms, single women’s department, small yard, wash house and kitchen, be reserved for the exclusive use of a central Fire Brigade Station. The portion as it is at present, or with a very trifling alteration, can be made immediately available for the present engine and hose reel, likewise the necessary accommodation of committee and accoutrement, room as also a dwelling for a resident fireman. The area of this proposed reserve measures 26 feet 7 inches on the Armagh street frontage, and runs through the whole

width of the section to a corresponding frontage on the Market place . . . We consider this space will be ample for the requirements of the brigade, more especially as in all probability in course of time, the city will be divided into wards, when possibly each ward will possess its own local Fire Engine Station, besides which, as soon as it is thought desirable to build the central station permanently, the whole of the ground floor can be made available for other engines, and the upper stories for residential or other purposes connected with the station. This central station should be fitted with a powerful alarum, to be under the control of the resident firemen, or other members of the brigade . . . We are left with a space available for a Provision Market, of 123 feet 5 inches from west to east, by 47 feet north and south ... the space has been divided into seventeen stalls, each of them of a depth of sixteen feet . . . the general plan proposed is to have all the stalls to front on to the Market place, and protect it from sun or rain by a neat verandah of the width of an ordinary footpath; this footpath to be laid with asphalte pavement, and to be entirely for the use of the public.