Fire-Brigade Matters.
Page 6
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An Ambulance for Bolton.
A sub-committee of the Bolton Watch Committee is now enquiring into the matter of the provision of a motor ambulance for the fire-brigade department, and the Superintendent, Mr. J. Jones, will be pleased to have particulars.
An N.A.G. Fire-brigade Electra-chassis.
The accompanying illustration shows one of the N.A.G. eleetrochassis which are designed for carrying the various kinds of bodies and appliances used on fire-brigade vehicles ; all the electric apparatus is mounted forward of the dashboard, and nearly the whole of the frame behind is thus available for the fitting of any particular body required.
The source of electric energy is derived from an 84-cell accumulatorbattery, placed in two cases under the bonnet, and with a capacity represented by 156 ampere-hours. Speed, of course, varies according to the weight carried, but with a load of, say, 5 tons the chassis could travel some 38 miles at an approximate rate of 22 miles an hour on one charge of "juice," which feeds a couple of 7.5 h.p. hub-electro
motors on the front wheels. With very little trouble„ and in a few minutes, these motor-wheels can be removed like ordinary road-wheels from the axle-necks. There is no gear drive, and, consequently, no other parts of the chassis need be dismounted.
County Contributions.
We have received several letters from superintendents and chief officers, but which communications are of a private character, in which cordial approval is expressed for our reiteration of the view that convincing arguments can now be adduced to show county councils and rural councils the advantage of their helping to establish out-district fire-stations with motor equipment. In the days of the horse fire-engine, it was impossible to make out a case for other than urban ratepayers, but high-speed motor fireengines, in conjunction with telephonic connection, now bring a village community or country mansions at 30 miles from the station as effectively within range as they would have been at a distance of 10 miles a few years ago. The development of fire-protection service for such purposes cannot be emphasized too often. On the 18th inst. a fire broke out in the fitting-up shop of the Daimler Motoren-Gesellschaft at Marienfelde, near Berlin. Within half an hour after the firemen had got to work the fire wa,s extinguished. The damage was slight.
Oldham's Intentions.
The Oldham Watch Committee, at its meeting on the 18th inst., had under discussion, with Councillor Heywood in the chair, various reports from Superintendent Boardman. It was agreed that the necessities of the town called for the purchase of a motor fire-engine, and it was decided to discuss this at a future meeting.
The Salford Tenders.
On or before the 9th prox., the Town Clerk of Salford, Mr. L. C. Evans, requires to receive tenders for the supply of one or two petrol motor fire-engines and hose-tenders, combined, as may be required, each with a pumping capacity of not less than 450 gallons per minute, one engine to carry a 60 ft. fire-escape, and also tenders for the supply of a petrol motor ambulancevan complete. Details may be had from the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade, The Crescent, Salford.
Australian Horses to Go.
The Merryweather motor fire-engine in Sydney has been vindicated. In proceeding to a fire recently, one of the two horse engines failed to ascend a sharp hill, with the result that there was a delay of nearly five minutes in arriving at the scene. The reason appears to have been that one of the horses was suffering from a cold, and got winded. After the occurrence, Superintendent Webb remarked that they did not intend to add to their horse equipment, but that motors will gradually take their place until the entire fleet is mechanically propelled.