THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 148, 23 May 1928, Page 2

THE FIRE BRIGADE.

SPEED OF MOTOR ENGINE.

(To tho Editor.)

Sir, —Trusting that you will allow me a little space in your valuable paper, I would like to mention a few facts regarding the recent attack made upon tho speed of the local fire engine, the machine in question—a turbine pumper of the heavy class—is capable of attaining a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour when thoroughly warm, but on the average short runs from a cold start, it is impossible to reach such a speed (which I must .state is xory modelate). There are dozens of cars travelling much faster than ibis every day on every street in the town, and yet criticism is hurled at the Fire Brigade. Why? The Fire Brigade Act says that the superintendent'shall proceed to the scene of a fire with all possible speed. Surely that over-rides the borough bylaws. The councillor who makes tho attack upon the brigade suggested that in. days gone by tho brigade took half-an-hour to reach its destination. .1. guess ho would change his tune if tho present brigade took half that time to reach his premises, should they ever catch fire. In regard to the suggested accidents arising from brigade turnouts, I would like to state that in all my thirty odd years in this town I have never known the brigade to come to o-rief, and I don’t think it ever will, judging by the way the engines are handled and provided the people with all the talk keep out of tho way. The brigade is doing excellent work, but it. is not appreciated by some. I would like to suggest that instead of slating the brigade, the Big Boys make a name for themselves by taking off their coats and giving the brigade a hand in their many arduous tasks. Actions speaker louder than words. Well done Fire Brigade. Keep up the good work. 1 am, CtU '’ AN OLD RESIDENT.