Sessional_Paper_1889 — Page 127

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GOVERNMENT FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT,

5th January, 1889.

SIR,I have the honour to forward herewith a report on the state of the Government Fire Engines for the year ending 31st December, 1888.

Steamer No. 1 (Floating Engine) by Messrs. Merryweather & Co.

This engine has been 21 years in service. In September last, the Boiler was fitted with a new fire box, and the Launch received a general overhaul. The time occupied for these repairs, was 13 days. Since its overhaul, it has done good service, and has given every satisfaction.

During the year it was disabled once, for a period of 15 minutes, owing to the splitting of a suction valve. The Engine is in good working order.

Steamer No. 2 by Messrs. Merryweather & Co.

The

fire. This engine has been 20 years in service. During the year, it has not been disabled at any On one of the periodical trials it became totally disabled by the failure of one of the water cylinder covers, which necessitated the laying up of the engine for 2 days for the fitting of a new cover. engine generates steam very slowly, is of obsolete type for land purposes, complicated in design, and very cumbersome to transport, owing to its great size and weight. It has done good service as an auxiliary, feeding the smaller and more powerful engines with water from the sea, but owing to its age and complexity, it cannot be relied upon to work effectively under full power for long periods.

The Fire-box is getting worn, and I would recommend a new one to be fitted during the ensuing

The engine is in good working order.

year.

Steamer No. 3 by Shand & Mason.

This engine is 9 years old. In November last, it was fitted with a new boiler of the most im- proved type, and received a thorough overhaul. The time occupied for these repairs, was 10 days.

During the year the engine has not been disabled at any fire. It has done good service, and is now a valuable addition to the Brigade, and in good working order.

Steamer No. 4 by Shand & Mason.

This engine has been 6 years in service. During the year it has done very good service, has not been disabled at any fire, and is in excellent working order.

Steamer No. 5 by Shand & Mason.

This engine has been 2 years in service. It is of the most improved type, and the most powerful in the Brigade. During the year it has done very good service, has not been disabled, and is in excel- 'lent working order.

Manual Engines (9) in number, all in good working order.

During the year, in consequence of the unusual number of calls upon the Brigade, no engine has been specially laid up for overhaul. The engines will each require periodical overhauling during the ensuing year, in order to maintain their efficiency.

As the laying up of an engine seriously affects the strength of the Fire-extinguishing Appliances, and in view of the possibility of one of the engines engaged at a fire becoming disabled simultaneously, I respectfully suggest that an additional engine of improved type be supplied, and kept in reserve, available on such occasion, or when a fire of serious nature occurs at an elevation when two engines, (one feeding the other) are required to do the work of one.

The want of additional pumping power was painfully manifest during the fire which broke out in Lyndhurst Terrace on the 28th August last, when, on account of the elevation of the fire, it required five engines to perform the work of two.

The Assistant Engineer, and the Engine Drivers, have given every attention to their duties, and have always promptly attended to the calls upon the Fire Department.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

GEORGE HORSPOOL, Esq.,

Actg. Supt. Gov. Fire Brigade.

ARTHUR WAGNER, Engr. Govt. Fire Brigade.