FOR “UNUSUAL” FIRES

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1934, Page 4

FOR “UNUSUAL” FIRES

PROBABLE FIRE BOARD PURCHASE. A TRAILER FOR NEW PLYMOUTH? New Plymouth will probably soon have a miniature “fire-engine” which can effectively operate in all sorts of unlikely places—back yards, gullies, plantations, decks of ships in harbour and wharves—and which will undoubtedly prove an acquisition of immense value to the brigade. Members of the Fire Board at the quarterly meeting yesterday considered authorising the purchase of such a machine and the superintendent, Mr. A. Boon, was asked to report on the suitability of a "trailer” on offer for sale at Wellington for slightly under £4OO. It was considered that the expenditure was more than warranted in view of the fact that the device would permit the brigade to operate effectively at fires in localities where the fire engine would be of little or no use. A machine was wanted which could be “man-handled” into gullies or other places where the big engine could not get within pumping distance—and particularly one which would be of use in the case of a fire on board ship at the port. It was explained that a trailer could be taken off. to a ship by pontoon, or possibly even on to the deck of the ship itself and pump a sufficient quantity of sea water to supply hoses. It would, further, be of great use in the case of plantation fires about large bodies of water.

Careful consideration, however, will be made before a purchase is made, the authorities being determined to make certain that the type of engine eventually chosen will be that most suited to local requirements. If the trailer on sale at Wellington proves to be unsuitable, a direct importation from overseas at a considerably greater cost will probably be necessary.