FIRE BRIGADES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18802, 3 March 1923, Page 12

FIRE BRIGADES

DISPLAY AT CENTRAL STATION. There was a dense crowd of spectators in Cumberland street last night to witness the display by the members of tlw Central Fire brigade. Just before 8 o’clock an alarm was given, and the men at once manned the machines, effecting an average “turn-out.” Three engines and the electric extension ladder took part in the display, one of the engines being a few seconds later in starting than the others as the result of some slight trouble in cranking. The four vehicles first went down to the corner of St. Andrew and Cumberland streets, and next returned to the corner of Stuart street. The engines were then replaced in the station, and the extension ladder was stationed just opposite the doors. The crowd hindered the movements of the vehicles somewhat, but to no groat extent. y Two loads of 40Qft of hose were fixed to a plug at the corner of Stuart and Cumberland streets, and connected with an Eastman deluge set, the water showing through a’ l|in nozzle, and .being 1 brown to an effective height of 75ft. The water was then formed off, and the electric extension ladder was brought into action. It was first driven almost straight: up into the air. A fireman ascended, gave a display with coloured flares, and stood on the top while the ladder was swung round once or twice in a semi-circle. After the Ladder had been lowered from this position it was bridged to the top of Messrs Hudson and Co.’s building, and the fireman again gave a displa y with coloured flares. The ladder was agam lowered, and the vehicle carrying it was replaced in the station. As a whole the display at this place was very successful, especially that with the ladder. The fireman received several rounds of applause while ascending and descending, and the public showed considerable interest in the workings of the device. WATER DISPLAY. There was a largo gathering of the public at the waterfront last evening, when a very interesting water display was given, this being one of the attractions arranged in connection with the Fire Brigades’ conference and demonstration. The proceedings started about 7 o’clock, at which hour tho Rattray street, Cross, and Birch street wharves were thickly lined with spectators, who followed tho display with keen attention. The tug Dunedin, aboard which were several members and officials of the Harbour Board, hauled into the steamer’s basin shortly after 7. o’clock, and for about a quarter of an hour those present were treated to a very fine display of pumping. The tug had all her hoses connected up, and when the pumps were set going about 10 or a dozen streams of water wore sent out, giving the spectators a good idea of the valuable sendee that *could be rendered by this vessel in the event of a fire breaking out on the wharf. The .greatest interest, however, was centred in a display given by the Central Fire Brigade. One of the brigade’s motors trailed a Dennis pump to the Birch street wharf. This pump, which is a very compact affair, was specially imported by the New Zealand Express Co. for demonstration purposes throughout Now Zealand. It weighs about 12cwt, and has a pumping capacity of 250 gallons per minute. It is known as the Dennis Trailer “Sot” engine, and is the first cl its kind landed in tho dominion. This pump has proved a great success for fire-fighting purposes in England, and is one cf the Dennis latest patents. It is possible to run the pump continuoulsy for days, and it is a valuable piece of apparatus for pumping water from foreshore rivers and tanks. The demonstration last evening fully proved its efficiency. Members of the brigade' coupled up a section of hose, and then two lines of 50ft of 2;jin fire hose. With the engine running at full capacity two streams of water were thrown to an effective height of fully 80ft in an unbroken line. Tho demonstration on the whole was a very effective one, and fully proved that one of these pumps would be of immense value as an addition to any firefighting plank