SPECIAL INTERVIEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11552, 16 January 1901, Page 3

SPECIAL INTERVIEWS.

AUCKLAND FIRE BRIGADE.

NECESSARY APPLIANCES.

Attention has been once more directed to the antiquated plant of the Auckland Fire Brigade, by the inability of the men to cope with the fire at the corner of Commerce and Custom Streets, owing to the lack of the necessary appliances. 1 A gentleman who is well qualified to give an opinion on the equipment of the brigade, who was seen yesterday , on the matter, characterised the plant as being more fit for a country village than for a city like Auckland, where there is so much valuable property.

"One of the chief wants," said he, "is ladders. The longest ladder that the brigade has in the station canaot be longer than 35ft, and I believe there is only one of that length. They want at the very least, three or four new ladders, but especially they require a fire escape and tower, and a steam fire engine. At the recent fire a steam fireengine was an absolute necessity, as the brigade could barely reach the third storey with the pressure at their command. At the present time they cannot fight a fire in any building over three-storeys high, unless it be so situated that they can work it from the roof of some adjoining premises, but that means a loss of valuable time, and should not be necessary in a city of some 60,000 inhabitants. They should have their fire escape so that as soon as they reach the fire they can extend it, and get to work at once. This fire escape and water tower is an extension ladder, from- which the fire can be worked, and it can bo either placed against the building or elevated at an angle fiom it if necessity arises. The hose is carried up the tower, and a. stream of water is poured down into the blaze. Now the men have to wait on the ground till the fire comes to them, instead of going to the fire, as one of the fire brigade put it. The men must get at the seat of a fire before they can battle with it. If they have to wait for it there is too much body in it when it reaches them."

" And the method of getting the plant to a fire is also somewhat behind the times ?"

Well, just. a trifle. The idea of expecting men to actually haul the plant to a fire, no matter how far it is from the station, is simply ludicrous, if the question were not so serious as it is." " What would be about the cost of the additional appliances that you have mentioned ?" "Between £2000 and £3000. Had the brigade had that amount of plant they could have undoubtedly saved £50,000 worth of property in Nathan's store. Wellington was far better equipped than Auckland is at the present time, but as soon as they found that they were not up-to-dato they expended over £7000 in plant, etc. It was the same at Christchurch. I believe in Auckland, the Council is waiting for some fire insurance Bill to pass, but why should we, who are so far behind, keep waiting i Wellington and Christchurch did not wait. They knew very well that they could, not afford to do so. There have been one or two instances where the men of the local fire brigade have been blamed for what has occurred at a fire, but till they have been provided with these ladders, and given a proper chance the least people can do is_ to withhold their criticism. It is no use doing things by half measures. The brigade must be equipped from start to finish, and it should be done at once. Why the merchants do not combine and demand that this should be done, I cannot say, and they only Lave themselves to blame. They must know that their property is in danger, and that they are taking the risk themselves."