MR SPRIGGENS AND THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18162, 26 April 1921, Page 3

MR SPRIGGENS AND THE FIRE BRIGADE.

’(To the Editor.) Sir,—May I have the space for a few! lines of comment re Mr Spriggens and, the Fire Board. lam surprised to find that they have a member of the Town Council talking such nonsense. I think if Mr Spriggens had his way Wanganui would go fifty years back instead of advancing fifty years. We all know that Wanganui is behind a great deal; but to read what Mr Spriggens said about the Fire Brigade, that they were better off when they had the steamer and the Ford motor is amusing. Mr Spriggens said that they only had one fire get away with them. Yes, and that was a big one, too, because they had no water. What was the steamer doing, so close to the river and no water? I think there must have been a bad mistake on some one’s part. Well, this is the beauty of the new Dennis turbino engine, you can get alongside the river or creeks and can pump up to 2001bs’ pressure. I think that is good enough.. I don’t agree with Air Spriggens’ scheme at all. He is looking behind times instead of ahead. Another thing, Mr Spriggens said that the upkeep of the brigade in his time as superintendent was only £350 a year. Well, I would like to know what became of the £350. for there was only a few hundred feet of hose w hen t'he Fire Board took over the Old Station, and that was useless, not fit for garden hose, let alone for fire fighting. If Mr Spriggens thinks the I brigade would be better run under the ‘ Council I think the ratepayers would ■ soon have, a say in that, for it would mean higher rates for them.—l am, EXPERIENCED FIREMAN.