THE NEW FIRE STATION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144723, 5 July 1915, Page 7

THE NEW FIRE STATION.

BRIGADE ENTER INTO POSSESSION. The Now Plymouth Eire Brigade being now housed in the new central station, a brief description of the building which has been erected by the I' ire Board wjl! be of interest to our readers. The old station in Powderh'am Street Ts somewhat out of date, and the site is a comparatively small one, unci in anticipation of their requirements tn« Firo Hoard some two years ago purchased from Air. A. Sliuuiewarth the fail quar-ter-acre at the corner of Liardet and Courtenay streets jilst opposite the Methodist Church. The building now completed has been designed by Air. Frank Messenger on thoroughly up-to-date lines, and is a substantial and roomy structure of reinforced concrete with Oregon timbering. The complete design shows a lofty fewer to carry the alarm-bell and to dry vet rose according to most modern methods, but this feature had to be eliminated ior thopresent on the score of expense. Ih© building fronts ihnrdcc Street. The ground -floor provides . engme-houso by 3irt.. watch-room I4it. llin. by IGft., store-room 14ft. 2i». by ilhy : lin., board-room 14ft. “in. by hit- 3m,, a smail store-room, and a kitchen 13ft--I‘in. by .1311. “in. Access to the street from the engine-huu.-.e is provided by ■ large double jelding doors, which by an ingenious arrangement (’pen completely by a single pud on a tackle. The watch-room is luniisned with telephone, ami in the kitchen a Humphreys patent heater has been ms;.ailod. vvuicii provides an ample supply, oi hot water at all hours. This is a recent invention consuming gas and operated by a pilot light. hue gas is turned on or off automatically with the turning on or off of any one of the hot-water taps in any part of the building. On a landing are the sanitary arrangements, comprising a shower chamber widi hot and cold water, bathroom with plunge and shmvor, also supplied with hot and cold water, hand basins. o:c., and large cupboards and racks carry a liberal supply of towels. Uostcu.s there is a social hall 48ft. Gin. by bLtb. 4in., a fine sunny room commanding a good outlook. The usual provision is made for a billiardtable. and there are bookcases and cupboards for tho reception of trophies, etc., of which the. brigade possess quite n number. Four bedrooms each J.4it. llin. by Oft. lOjin. are furnished with two beds, ampie wardrobe accommodation, and chest of drawers. Apparently everything possible has been done to make our volunteer firemen thoroughly comfortable. The yard at the rear of the building is to be laid down in concrete, with pits for the motors. ’ The dwelling-house which was on the section when purchased lias been completely renovated, and tho custodian has now ample quarteis of superior description. The present plant comprises the usual reels and ladders and other appliances, including a Ford motor which the boat'd purchased two years ago m order to expedite transit to the scene of a fire, and- in this connection it might be mentioned that the car more than paid for its cost the very first time it was called out.' There is now on order a first-class Dennis motorengine equipped with pump, chemicals, and compibte outfit, and it was expected that this would bo to hand by the time the new station was ready for its reception. Tho makers havep-however, advised that, owing to the exigencies of war and the commandeering of their extensive works by the War, Office, the manufacture and delivery of the engine will bo delayed for some time, and, whilst disappointed nt having to wait for this important piece of plant at the same time the board was only too glad to feel that it, is helping the Old Country by standing aside for the present. Pending the erection of the tower, the steel, boll-tower which .has been doing service at Devon Street East has been set up alongside the station, and the alarm-bell is being mounted thereon. The hoard proposes to afford an early opportunity to the townspeople to iusnect this addition to our public buildings, and an invitation will be extended bv advertisement in due course. Superintendent Bellringer and his brigade are to bo congratulated upon their new headquarters, and it would not bo out of place to say just a word of praise concerning the matter in winch the plant is being maintained by Custodian Doughty.