TESTING THE FIEE TANKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5427, 29 September 1885, Page 3

TESTING THE FIEE TANKS.

In ordei to put the fire prevention tanks that have recently been constructed by the City Council to a practical test, and give the firemen a first lesson in the use of them, the two steam fire engines of the Christchureh Brigade were set to woi k at one of them last evening. The tank at the junction of Gloucester and Manchester streets was the one selected, and at halfpast seven o'clock a large crowd had gathered in the locality to witness the test. At 7.35 p.m., the two steamers, having been placed in position, set to work ; six lengths of ho3e were run out, four strong jets being thrown from the " Deluge," and two from the " Extinguisher." Both engines were kept going at full pressure, at which rate the " Deluge" is calculated to throw 450galsper minute, and the "Extinguisher" 300gals. At 8.6 p.m., after the engines had been working 31 minutes, they began to draw air, showing that the tank had been nearly •mptied. The engineß were then stopped, though, had needs been, they could have been kept going at a slower rate of speed for some minutes longer. The capacity of the tank is 25,000 gallons, and there is the inflow from the artesian to bo taken into account, so that it is probable that the engines exceeded the 750 per minute they are supposed to throw out. Tho result of the test is very hatisfaet >ry, and it serves to show that v.ith mieli ;i supply of water at their command the l'i:rBrigade need not fear much trouble in 1 dealing with any fire which comes t within reach of the tanks. Councillors < Hosking, Crooks, and Prudhoe, of the f Fire Prevention Committee, were present, t with other Councillors, during the trial, f The celerity with which the chemical engine i can be brought to work was also tested, t The result of this can best be judged from c the statement of one of the Councillors, i who put the time — from this engine's 1 arrival to the moment the chemical fluid 1 was flying about— at the " sixteenth part of the second," and that this gentleman is i qualified to speak with authority on the < subject, there can be no question, an he . < had a practical experience of the j i " efficacy (P) " of the fluid. 'i

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