THE ELECTRIC WIRE AND THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1586, 20 March 1879, Page 3

THE ELECTRIC WIRE AND THE FIRE BRIGADE.

Last evening, by the invitation of Mr Superintendent Harris, a party of ladies and gentlemen assembled at his house, at the Chester street station, and at the Lichfield street station. The party included the fire brigade committee of the City Council, several insurance agents, the representatives of the two morning journals, and several ladies and gentlemen who had been invited to witness the trial of the wires recently completed between the throe points mentioned. As already stated the work of connecting the stations and Mr Superintendent Harris’s house has been carried out by Mr W. Q-. Meddings, and the result has been a perfect success. The apparatus at Mr Harris’s house consists of two electric bells and two telephones. These connect respectively with the Lichfield street and Chester street stations, and by a simple arrangement of pegs these two places or only one can be put in circuit with Mr Harris’ house. A code of rings has been settled, so that on the alarm being given Mr Harris can at once communicate with the station from whence it comes, and transmit orders for the despatch of engines or anything else that the circumstances of the case may require.

Mr Harris also intends to still further utilise the communication by enabling alarms to be given in the suburbs of Christchurch, without it being necessary to go as far as either of the stations. For instance, a fire taking place near the Hospital, an alarm could be given there, which, being in communication by wire with the Fire Brigade station, would at once be conveyed thither. Again, in case of a fire taking place to the eastward, the alarm could bo given at. Mr Harris’ residence in Worcester street. Thus a great deal of valuable time would be saved. Had the wire been in operation at the time of the fire at the Avonside Parsonage, the brigade could have been on the spot half an hour sooner than they were, and a great deal of property might have been saved. To return, however, to the event of last evening. The trial, as has been stated, was a complete success from first to last. The proceedings commenced by the City Councillors assembled at Mr Harris’ congratulating Mr Meddings upon the success attending his efforts, and as Councillor Jenkins had taken a very great interest in the matter of the establishment of telegraphic communication between the stations, he was requested to act as the spokesman of the City Council on the occasion. This having been done and duly acknowledged, a request was made for a little music from 'the Chester street end. Mr Charles Ooombes, who was present at Chester street, then gave a cornet solo, which was heard most distinctly both at Mr Harris’s house and Lichfield street, and was greatly enjoyed by all. Mr T. Hobbs then contributed a banjo solo, and this also was heard to perfection. Mr S. Seager next gave a cornet solo, which was encored. The peculiarity of these cornet solos was that they were heard distinctly by seven gentlemen from the two telephones used at Mr Harris’s house. After a congratulatory conversation had passed between Mrs Harris and a lady at the Chester street station, good night was said, and the party broke up. With the increased appliances for being early on the spot at a fire, thus placed at the disposal of the brigade, we may look forward to their increased efficiency.