Newcastle's Latest Municipal Purchase.
Page 44
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TAURING the last few years there has been a steady and continuous replacement of horse-drawn triansport by mechanically propelled vehicles in the various services under the control of the Newcastle Corporation, which has, in consequence, increased both the speed and the efficiency of its fire-brigade and its street-cleansing and other departments. But the older mode of transport continued to suffice for the conveyance of prisoners until-a week or so ago, when the watch committee took delivery of a smart, and speedy motor prison van, and thereby severed one of the very few remaining links with the recognized form ci transport of a. decade or so ago. The body of the new prison van, which is mounted on a 25-30 h.p. Wolseley chassis, has been built by Messrs. 0. R, Haugh of St. Mary's Place, Newcastle, who are to be complimented upon the neat and serviceable appeamnce of their product. The .whole of the work has C56 been carried out with .substantial material such as will insure the durability required for a vehicle engaged upon this class of work., The interior of the body, which is shown in one of our pictures, is of special interest; containing as it does a number of unique features. The body contains eight cells, four on each side of a wide central gangway, each cell having a separate door fitted with a slam lock and iron bars to ensure the safe custody of prisoners. Strong metal louvres are provided for ventilation purposes, as well as portholes for the use of the warder in charge. The van is electrically illuminated throughout, and is capable of carrying a dozen persons. The exterior of the body is painted and enamelled black