FIRE-FIGHTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 11, 1 June 1914, Page 4

FIRE-FIGHTING.

THE NEW FIRE STATION. PROGRESSIVE PROPOSALS. The erection of the fire station for which tenders are now being called by Mr Messenger, will see New Plymouth equipped with up-to-date housing for its fighting apparatus, and immediately afterwards steps are to be taken for tho puroliase of more equipments for dealing with a serious outbreak should it occur.

The building will stand on the corner of Courteniay and Jjiardet streets, with good frontage to both, and in the lang which are now in the architect's hands, it presents an attractive appearance even to the layman unversed in the mysteries of architecture. It will be something of a departure from the ordinary in street architecture, asdhc usual unsightly parapet will be done away with. The main portions of the building will be two-storied, but a third floor will consist of a balcony and "look-out" platform. Every convenience for the accommodation of men and equipment will be provided. To Liardet street two large folding doors will face, giving access to the en-gine-house and through that to the entrance to tho watch room. A sixty foot tower will be erected at the rear, with accommodation for hose-drying surmounted by a bell and the aforesaid "look-out" platform. The entrance to the buck of the premises will he under tho tower.

Tho ground floor will comprise the engine room, 48 feet by 31 feet, with asphalt floor, watch room, work shop and office, all in plaster with concrete floors and aisbestas ceilings. Under the stairway in the corner of the block will be clipboards and a store room. A back wing of the same floor will contain a oommodioua kitchen, and another »tor» room will open on to a yard about 30 feet square. The first floor will contain, (opening off the first landing) lavatories, two bathrooms and a plunge bath. 0» the next landing will bo a commodious social liall 48 feet by 31 feet, in plaster with an asbestos ceiling. At either end of the hall will be a sliding pole, providing ready communication with tSile engine room in case of an alarm. Off from the social hall will be four bedrooms, each accommodating two men. From thi» floor will be access to the balcony with the bell and "look-out" platform which forms the third floor. The general appearance of the whole building from either street will be most attractive, especially if it is carried out in rough finished reinforced concrete, with a red tiled roof.

After the building has been erected, it is the intention of the Fire Board to do much towards making New Plymouth as well equipped with lire lighting and preventive appliances as' any town. A motor fire engine will be obtained, and —even more important—u system of street fire alarms will be installed. The 'batteries for connecting theso are provided in the plans of the building, but it will be necessary to wait for its completion before definitely fixing tho location of the alarms. It is probable Ahat in addition to tlu:-e in the principal streets, alarms may be fitted to boarding houses and similar buildings, but nothing has been definitely determined. It is not. of vonrse, intended that as many men will sleep at the station as yet as the accommodation to be supplied would indicate, but in this respect the design of the building has been drawn with nu eye to tho future.