PROPOSED FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2065, 9 December 1919, Page 3

PROPOSED FIRE BRIGADE.

CAPTAIN HUGO’S REPORT. At last night's Council meeting the following report from Captain Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades, was read: — “Sir.—-Foliowing upon my visit to Foxton on the 11th instant, and having made an inspection of the tire conditions existing in the Boiough, in that connection I beg to submit the following report' for the consideration of your Council. With due regard to local conditions, financial and otherwise, and seeing that there is no fire equipment of any description available at present, prompt consideration should.be given to the formation of a tire brigade and the provision of a first aid fireJigbting equipment with the necessary adjuncts, and in that view would recommend (hat early action be taken on. the lines set out below, viz.—A lire brigade to lie formed, to consist of not less than twenty members in all: a shed to be erected in some central position for the housing of the plant; a tire-bell or sy.ren to lie installed adjacent,to the shed. Appliances to be provided as follows: —Two hand-pumps, London Fire Brigade pattern, and lilted with stirrup, hose ami nozzle; cost 70s each. Two 3-gallons C.O. 2 hand chemical extinclours, “Simplex’ or 'Underwriters’ pattern; cost 07s (id each. Twenty collapsible canvas buckets, these tor passing water for the hand-pumps, refilling chemical engine cylinders, etc. (One of the enclosed pamphlets gives full information for the proper maintenance and use of the hand-pumps, chemical extindeurs, etc.) A oneton motor chassis to be purchased, with a body built thereon to suit requirements, and to be tilled with two 30 gallons each C. 0.2 chemical cylinders, hydraulic reel, 380 feet four-ply one-inch rubber hose, branch ami nozzles; cost, £ 120. (Full particulars concerning the motor recommended is contained in (lie enclosed pamphlet marked No. 3.) As an 'alternative to the motor machine, the two chemical cylinders can be mounted on an ordinary Iwowbeeled carriage lifted with a pair of light shafts, so that il may be oil her hand or horse drawn; cost, £IOO. Specifications for the supply of the chemical engine mil tit will be supplied if desired. The prices quoted are approximate only. A hilst the adoption of the above recommendation will provide a certain degree of protection it should lie clearlv understood that the efficiency range of a nisi aid equipment is limited, there is a restricted point lu'vomt which il cannot be relied np-

ini to ensure protection from the spread of fire, and for the better protection of tin* larger risks in Ine town 1 would recommend that a fire main be laid down from the river to and along Alain Street, with a high lift turbine pump worked by either a gas or oil engine installed on the river hunk. The pipes to be ot a size dial will fit in with any scheme of water supply that may he adopted in -the future.” A letter was also read from Messrs Booth, McDonald and Go., Ltd., offering a Noll chemical engine for sale.

The Mayor said 1 li;i 1 Captain Tiutro had arranged to visit Foxton on'the dav ..I" the last Council meeting, Uni had afterwards wired advising (liar ho would not he able to come until the following day. As lie. (the Mayor) and the 1 own Clerk wore to he absent ihal dnw lho\ tctegraplied Captain Hugo. asking liim to post pone liis visit, hill the telegram did mil reach him in lime. Fortunately, Cr. Coley was in Foxlmi and was able to take C aptain Hugo round the Borough, and the above report was a result of that lisit. The question now was, what was the Council going to do?

After a little discussion it was deluded, on the motion oi the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Coley, that the Nott chemical tire engine submitted for lire prevention purposes he submitted to Captain lingo for advice thereon, and it unsuitable Ihal lie lie asked for specilicalions for the supply of a suitable chemical engine and out lit ■

It was further decided, on the motion of Crs. Me.Murray and Pearsou, that ■ applications from those who are willing to form a volunteer tire brigade be called, and that a meeting of those interested he held at a time to be arranged before the next monthly meeting of the Council.