The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY l2, 1902. GISBORNE’S FIRE ENGINE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 338, 12 February 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 12, 1902. GISBORNE’S FIRE ENGINE.

A product of the splendid public spirit of the peop'o of Gisborne 21 years ago came to grief yesterday morning. The Inspector of Machinery, Mr Macgregor, was inspecting tlie tubular boiler ol’ the Borough's Shand Mason fire engine, and while testing it put a hole through, the boiler being hopelessly condemned. In the emergency the Mayor (who is also Superintendent ol' the Fire Brigade), at once took steps to have provision made in case of lire. The boiler had 100 tubes, and the best boiler obtainable in the district was that formerly belonging to the Harbor Board’s sand pump, and which was purchased by the Gisborne Freezing Works. That boiler was obtained, and Mr Davys engineer, and Mr Webb, bricklayer worked throughout tie night in getting tion. The work is now fairly completed, and this evening there will be a steam practice -ol the brigade, when the temporary boiler placed in posithe temporary arrangement will be tested. Ihe Shand-Mason engine which has served the town so well, is a iirst.class> example of how some' of our earlier citizens wrought for the good of the town, the steam fire, engine being purchased by public subscription. It has now attained its majority in the service of the l< wn and the fact that it has Been foun ' necessary to cast the boner aside should make us realise liow importantan adjunct the engine is to the town property. The cost of a new boiler will be a heavy ot.e for the borough, but there is 110 do *.lst that the old one has done good work, and the public should be pieasei that it lias stood the wear and tear so well.