Sessional_Paper_1890 — Page 204

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GOVERNMENT FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT,

2nd January, 1890.

SIR,I have the honour to submit herewith my report on the state of the Government Fire- engines for the year ended 31st December, 1889.

Steamer No. 1 (Floating engine), by Messrs. Merryweather & Co., has been 22 years in service. In December last, the launch was docked for repairs, and the Fire and Screw engines received a thorough overhaul. The water tanks were taken out of launch, scraped, painted and repaired. They have now been in long use, and are considerably corroded and pitted on the insides, so much so, that I would recommend new ones to be fitted during the early part of next year.

During the year, the engine has not been disabled at any fire, and is now in good working order. Steamer No. 2, by Messrs. Merryweather & Co., has been 21 years in service. In August last it received a thorough overhaul. During the year it has not been disabled at any fire, but on two periodical trials it was completely disabled, on one occasion, by the bursting of one of the boiler tubes, and on the other, by the failure of one of the cylinder covers.

This engine is of obsolete type for land purposes, being complicated in design, cumbersome to transport owing to its great size and weight and slow to generate steam. The increase of the areas of the steam pistons over that of the plungers is so small that with the present boiler pressure, the maximum water pressure that can be attained is 55 tbs. per square inch. A pressure, which, when it is considered the increase of buildings of an inflammable nature on levels with Lyndhurst Terrace and Wellington Street, and the increased height of new buildings on the lower levels renders the engine absolutely worthless for any other purpose than that of feeding. Its upkeep and consumption of fuel are very expensive compared with the modern and more powerful engines. In my last year's report I recommended a new fire-box to be fitted to the boiler. This expenditure was not sanctioned. I consider the engine not worth the outlay now, and would recommend that it be disposed of by tender, and the proceeds go towards the purchase of an engine of modern type, similar to No. 5. The engine is in good working order compatible with its age and worn out condition.

Steamer No. 3, by Shand & Mason, has been 10 years in service, and the boiler 2 years. During the year it has not been disabled at any fire, and is now in good working order.

Steamer No. 4, by Shand & Mason, has been 7 years in service. In March last it received a thorough overhaul. It has not been disabled at any fire, and is in good working order and a most efficient engine.

Steamer No. 5, by Shand & Mason, has been 3 years in service. In November last it received a thorough overhaul. It has not been disabled at any fire. It is in good working order and a most efficient engine.

Volunteer Engine, by Shand & Mason, has been 9 years in the service of the Volunteer Brigade, and 1 year in the Government. It has not been disabled at any fire, and is in good working order.

The Assistant Engineer and Engine drivers have attended regularly and promptly to all calls made on the Brigade, and have performed their respective duties in a most satisfactory and creditable

manner.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

The Honourable H. E. WODEHOUSE, C.M.G.,

Your most obedient Servant,

Supt., Government Fire Brigade.

ARTHUR WAGNER,

Engineer, Government Fire Brigade.