THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1506, 31 July 1912, Page 4

THE OLD AND THE NEW.

— « FIRE BRIGADE HORSES TO BE SOLD. Now that the Wellington Fire Brigade Station is adequately provided with motor vehicles and. engines, the Fire Brigndo Committee lias decided to sell the horses. There are many who, acquainted with the noble sen ices these horses have given in the saving of property in exciting emergencies, will heave a sigh at their final banishment. In the noisy old days, when the watchman was wont to keep his loho vigil high abovo the quiet city in tlio ancient tower abovo what lis now i'lock- : ton's Variety Stores, and such things as electric alarms were unheard of, tlio horso was the first living thing in tlio station to answer the call from above, when the brazen clangour of the big bell awoke mild terror in listening ears. And, as the aroused citizens waited to hear' how many isolated dones were givcu after . the first loud toll to denote which ward of the city tlio outbreak had occurred iu, the hrarses had sprung to their feet, ami were mizzling at tho doors, eager to trot out into their places betweeu tlio shafl.i of the vermillion engine, and receive the dropping harness. Their wild, free gallop through the streets, dragging their load: of brass-helmctcd fire-fighters, was always a curiously exhilarating sight. Now,'a, sharp-tongued bell prefaces rt snort, and a flush of (something rod—then nil is over save tho perfumo of petrol lazily losing itself in tho atmosphere. "Fire, eomewlicro!" says somoono. But nobody earca much—it will bo in tho papers in tho morning. Tho old order changeth!