FIRE ALARMS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4931, 27 January 1926, Page 2

FIRE ALARMS.

« OLD BELL TOWER DEMOLISHED.? SYREN SYSTEM TRIED OUTThe question or the provision or a motor fire-reel and more up-to-date fire-fighting equipment for the Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade has been prominently before the public recently, and means have been forthcoming, enabling the Fire Council to provide certain necessities for the brigade. The question of an adequate fire alarm system in the borough has ajso been exercising the minds of the Fire Council and brigade officials for some time, but no steps were taken until the result of the storm on Thursday and Friday last made the matter one calling for immediate action. Owing to the storm causing the tower carrying the bell to list over at a dangerous angle it wa,s deemed advisable to dismantle the bell and pull the structure down.

It is interesting to record that the. tower referred to was erected by the late Mr George Crosby about 26 years ago to the order of the Ohinemuri County Council. The original site of the structure was ,at the junction of Normanby Road, Princes Street; and Wharf Street. At the same time a triangle was erected on Station Road a,t its junction with Rye Lane. This formed the first and only fire alarm for .the borough up to- the. present. .About three years ago the tower was moved further along Princes Street to make room for the band rotunda. ‘ -

As the erection of the new post office proceeded frequent complaints were made by the brigade that the buildings adjacent to the bell deadened the sound, and for this reason the question; of its removal to a, more suitable site was under consideration. Yesterday morning experiments were carried out before His Worship, the Mayor (Mr W. .Marshall), members of the borough council, and Captain W. Moore, of the fire brigade, with a one-third horse power federal fire syren. In the first instance the syren was placed on the roof of the fire station and connected to the electric light the current switched on. The result was not considered satisfactory, as the alarm could scarcely be heard in certain parts of the borough, although in clos,e proximity to the station the air reverberated with .the weird shriek of the syren. Later the alarm was raised higher in the air, and wa£ connected direct to the switchboard in the fire station. Although a slightly greater volume of sound was made the result was not considered entirely satisfactory. Inquiries are now being made as to the cost of a larger syren, and the information obtained will be the deciding factor as - to whether a, syren is erected or the old system of the bell, alarm reverted to. The cost of erecting the tower and bell on' the high ground in Willoughby Street adjacent to the fire station is estimated at about £25, while the syren used yesterday is priced at £2O. If the cost of a larger syren is within the means of the council it is very probable that that form of alarm will, be installed. . -