Fire-Brigade Matters.
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The Montreal tenders, to which we referred last week, must be lodged in Montreal by or before noon on Thursday the 31st inst. Ciiain-driven machines are wanted.
From Our Own Correspondent at Singapore.
hi the Middle East, the cult of the motor in connection with firebrigade affairs is making rapid strides. The credit for this is undoubtedly due to the example of Singapore, which is possessed of the best-equipped brigade east of India, and which has been able to show enviable results derived from its progress. The economic result, apart altogether from the superior utility of a motor-equipped brigade, is what appeals to the hard-headed men of these parts. The Singapore Superintendent, Mr. M. W. Pete has been able to show them that on the basis of upkeep prevalent in the country, the initial cost of a motor fire-engine can be recovered in a matter of seven years in the savings effected annually by the change from the old horse-drawn vehicles to the modern type. It is nine or tell years since the first motor engine appeared in Malaya. That was a steam vehicle, purchased by the town of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the State of Selangor, where it is still in commission. Its best days, however, are gone now, and a new Dennis petrol machine, of 500 gallons capacity, is to replace it. Siugapore's first motor is only four years old. The city possesses two steam-propelled motors fitted with h steam pumps, each capable of Pumping 400 galls. per minute, and a petrol motor combination with a 50 ft. escape, hose-box and reel, Merryweather-Hatfield pump (400 gallons capacity), and a speed of 30 miles an hour" all up." A new machine is due to arrive shortly. This is of the Morris make, with Ajax turbine pump (also 400 gallons), a 55 ft. escape, and a speed of 35 m.p.h. The turbine pump has been now adopted by Mr. Pett.
Penang's motor resources do not .need much detailing. There is a Dennis petrol motor, carrying a 50: ft. escape, a• pump of 500-gallons capacity, and with a speed of 28 miles an hour. There is also a small steam vehicle (300 gallons) which has been in use for five years. the flourishing business centre of Perak, has just decided to buy its first motor fire-engine. A Dennis machine has been recommended and, I believe, ordered.
When all is said and done, there is still a big field for the manufacturer of such vehicles. There are at the moment whispers of fresh aspirations among the brigades in Malaya. Singapore has now only one horse-drawn engine left, and I have reason to think that steps will be taken to supplant it with another motor before the end of the year, although no such intention has yet
been expressed publicly. The powers in Penang are also, I hear, quietly contemplating the possible acquisition of another addition to their present possessions. A potential opening is afforded, too, by Malacca, where, in spite of .its being a very important planting centre--and plantations, rubber factories, coolie lines, and suchlike, are very susceptible to fire—they have practically no equipment to talk of. It is my opinion that, if Malacca could be persuaded to acquire a modern outfit, capable of dealing with the necessities of * large district, the wealthy rubber estates of the neighbourhood might contribute towards the upkeep very generously. There are other places east of India, however, where the tale of progress does not apply. For some reason or other, Hong Kong, despite its well-known enterprise in other directions, has yet to be really converted to the use of motor fire-engines. Personally I can see no reason for this adherence to the old style, when the two great ports on either side of it, Singapore and Shanghai, have adopted the motor with satisfaction. But for backwardness, Bangkok undoubtedly takes first place. The capital of a fast-developing country, the seat ,)f a king, and a city closely in touch with the advanced peoples of the West, it still clings to its primitive hand-drawn engine, which, I think, is under the command of a scratch military brigade