CITY FIRE BRIGADE

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 7

CITY FIRE BRIGADE

CHANGE OVER TO-DAY. NEW AND UP-TO-DATE STATION. To-day the officers and men of the Dunedin City Fire Brigade and the members of the Fire Board will vacate their old quarters in Cumberland street and occupy the newly-erected station in Castle and St. Andrew streets. The change over will mark the most important event in the history of the organisation. Starting in a very modest way in the very early days of the city, the brigade has grown with the intervening years until it has reached that stage where it is imperative for it to be housed in premises in keeping with the dignity ana pro-

gress of Dunedn. The new station was completed several weeks ago, and during the interval preparations have been made for removing the apparatus and the staff from the Cumberland street premises. The tak of transferring a fire-fighting unit from one place to another is no small undertaking. It has to be done by degrees, as everything must be in perfect order when the final items in the move are attended to. By this afternoon the brigade should be settled in its new quarters. The new station will house a small community, who will no doubt welcome the change from the cramped quarters in Cumberland street to the more commodious and comfortable accommodation in the new building. Up to date in every respect, the new station has been designed on the most attractive lines, and the Fire Board has every reason to oe well satisfied with the general layout and appearance. The foundation stone of the building was laid on March 18, 1930. For more than 19 years the station about to be vacated in Cumberland street has been the home of the brigade. With the extension of the city, it was realised that a much larger building was requirea to house the machines and members ot the brigade. The latter problem had proved a very difficult one to the Fire Board, as married men employed in brigade work were allow’ed £1 per week in addition to their ordinary salary if residential quarters were not provided for them and their families at the station. The board obtained a report from its architects whether satisfactory residential quarters could be provided at the Cumberland street building, but it was found that anyother storey could not satisfac-. torily be added. The board could not purchase the adjoining site at a reasonable’ price, and it was finally resolved, with the approval of Mr T. T. Hugo (formerly Government Inspector of New l Zealand Fire Brigades), to purchase the site in Castle and St. Andrew streets and ’ build a modern station.

The site on which the new building has been erected comprises an acre and a-quar-ter at the corner of Castle and St. Andrew streets, and with one-quarter of an acre section fronting Leith street. The latter portion of the property will not be required at present. Several houses will remain on the ground until such time as the area is required for the construction

of additional married men’s quarters. The main frontage of the new building is in Castle street, the two-storey block extending for 198 feet. The frontage in St. Andrew street has a length of 160 feet. In addition to the main building,' workshops and repair shops have been provided. The St. John Ambulance machines will continue to be housed at the new station. Owing to the high cost the new scheme does not provide for residential quarters for the family of the permanent ambulance driver.

Externally the buildings for the most part reveal red brick work with tiled roofs. The street frontages have a dignified and attractive appearance. The interior frontages, facing the inner court and exercise yard, have been treated with greater freedom in order to provide the firemen and all those who reside within the building with pleasing surroundings. The whole building has been so designed as to allow the living quarters to get all the available sunshine. At the same time the various wings have been arranged for the quickest possible assembly of the men when responding to an alarm. The whole scheme allows for future ex tensions of the married men’s quarters and spare area for the machines. An t*rea has also been placed aside for the provision of a tennis court. MARRIED MEN’S QUARTERS. From every point of view the new station is undoubtedly the most up-to-date and best planned institution of its kind in New Zealand. The new quarters aie. in fact, sreond to none in Australia or in the Dominion. The contractors (Messrs G. Lawrence and Co.) and the architects (Messrs Mandeno and Fraser) have done their work well. An inspection of the building provides convincing evidence that the Fire Board, in conjunction with the architects, has given every consideration to the general well-being and utility of the brigade. Every modern convenience has been installed in the firemen’s residential quarters, and these factors, combined with the excellent lay-out and design of the homes, provide the maximum of comfort for the staff. The married men’s quarters have five rooms, comprising three bedrooms, a sitting room, a kitchen, living room, a wellapppomted bathroom, and a modern laundry. In the kitchen room there is to be seen a number of appointments which are not found in every home. The most striking feature is the terrazzo-slabbed open fireplace, with a saddle-back boiler grate for water-heating purposes in the winter time. The red-tinted terrazzo blends nicely with the general colour scheme of the room, which has a dado in cement plaster enamelled to tone in with the terrazzo, while above the glossyfinished dado the walls are smoothly finished with a plain plaster, calsomined in cream. The fibrous plaster ceiling is also calsomined in cream, thus giving the room an atmosphere of warmth and refinement. While the hot-water service will be maintained during the winter months by the boiler grate, the supply will be furnished in the summer months by means of an electric element which is fitted to the cylinder. Cooking will be done by a modern gas range, while a wooden sink top with a terrazzo back is conveniently stituated. to the cupboards and an air-cooled meat safe. A feature which should make a direct appeal to the housewife is the ample cupboard accommodation, which comprises an abundance of drawers and bins, thus eliminating the necessity of erecting shelves for the accommodation of kitchen utensils and other household necessities. Off the main entrance vestibule is a sitting room of reasonable proportions, 1 a feature of which is the well-chosen wallpapers and a handsomely tiled fireplace. The ground floor also accommodates the laundry, which adjoins the kitchen-living room, and which is fitted with a gas copper, concrete tubs, and a coal bin.

One is impressed by the fine joinerywork in the walls of the stairway and the halls. New Zealand rimu has been used, and the beautiful figure of this timber has been boldly brought out by a walnut stain. At the head of the stairway is situated a cosy bathroom and the lavatory, the walls of which are covered with Sanitas wallpaper. The bedrooms are decorated with wallpapers in Empire style, while each room features a built-in wardrobe, also constructed of figured rimu. Altogether there are nine of these five-roomed residences, with one house of six rooms for the member with the largest family.

CHIEF OFFICER’S QUARTERS. The superintendent’s and deputy-super-intendent’s quarters are similar in their fittings to the married quarters, though several additional advantages make them slightly superior. A striking feature of the sitting room of the superintendent s house is the provision that has been made for heating purposes. In addition -to a large open fireplace, there is an electric plug and also a steam radiator, which is part of the central heating system of the building. The bathrooms are similar to the married men’s quarters in that a shower screen has been provided, while all the fittings, which include a chronuumplated mixer for shower, are all chromium plated. A tiled back is also fitted behind the wash-hand basin. Leading off every fireman’s bedroom is a balcony fitted with a sliding pole in case of an alarm. The beautiful terrazzo work in the superintendent’s kitchen is a special feature. Here the mottled blue enamel work of the gas range makes a perfect blending with the terrazzo, and great credit is due to the local makers for their excellent product. SINGLE MEN’S QUARTERS.

The block for the single men contains 22 cubicles, all of which are fitted with a built-in wardrobe and a shaving cabinet. These rooms are finished in stucco cement with a warm cream finish, while a radiator served by the central heating system is installed in every room. At the end of the long corridor is the single men’s bathroom accommodation. This section of the block has been established on the communal principle, embodying several hot showers, wash-hand basins, and ’lavatories. The messroom for the single men is immediately below the cubicle block, and this . bright room has a clinker brick dado, stucco walls, and fibrous plaster ceiling, I A large kitchen features an extra large coal range, while residential quarters have

also been provided for the female esok, who will have a kitchenette, sitting room, and bedroom. ATTRACTIVE SOCIAL HALL.

One of the outstanding features of the new building is the luxurious social hall above the engine hall. This section of the bunilding is about 80ft x 40ft, and is no doubt one of the nicest halls of its kind in Dunedin. Six semicircular steel-sashed windows are particularly attractive to the eye, each window being about lift wide. Figured rimu is here gain featured in a 3ft 6in dado, above which the walls are finished in stucco cement which blends with the fibrous plaster ceiling. For social purposes an up-to-date pantry and scullery adjoins the hall. Nearby is the equipment room and men’s reading and writing room. Immediately off the engine hall and above the boiler room, which accommodates two boilers (one for domestic heating and one for the hot water supply), there is the men’s driyng room, where their uniforms receive attention when they return from a fire. Excellent office accommodation has been provided for the Fire Board, a feature of which is the. joinery work of the board room. The room is really a striking exemplification of the beauties of rimu and its appropriate qualities for interior decorative work. Another point is the strongroom, the door of which was made by Maim and Co. (Dunedin). Subsidiary buildings include a wellfitted workshop, carpenters’ shop with two benches, repairs and fitters’ room (which is equipped with a Manley lift capable of lifting eight tons), and a community laundry for single men. The tower for hose drying and ladder practice is 78tt high, and constructed of steel and asbestos sheets. BRIGADE'S EARLY HISTORY. From August 14, 1862, when the first meeting was held for the purpose of forming a Fire Brigade in Dunedin, to the present day, many changes have taken place in the life of the city’s fire-’fighting department. The brigade had a very hard struggle for existence in the earlier part of its life, when several threats were made to the City Council to the effect that the members would resign it sufficient money was not forthcoming. This was the state of the organisation in the volunteer days, from 1862 to 1885. In the latter year the brigade was reorganised on a semi-paid basis. Since then the brigade has made wonderful strides until it has grown to the efficient and well-organised state in which it finds itself to-day. From statistics carefully kept by Mr J. J. Salmon, the present superintendent, somem interesting particulars are gleaned. The notes kept by the superintendent cover the whole of the period until the Fire Board was brought into existence in 1907.

The first meeting of citizens was held in the old Commercial Hotel, which occupied the site of the present Carlton Hotel, on August 14, 1862. The chairman was the late Mr James Rattray, and the late Mr H. Munford waq appointed secretary. A committee was elected to canvass for funds, and in l.ss than one week it was reported that £lO3 Us had been gathered. The first general meeting of the brigade was held a week later, when Mr H. E. Rees was appointed captain, and Mr D. Murphy as lieutenant. The brigade was thus established, and the first practice was held on October 1 in the same year. Two months later a manual engine was purchased, and christened “ The Pride of Dunedin.” This machine served the brigade till 1910, when it was sold, and subsequently did duty in one of the Trentham military camps during the war period.

In the second year of the brigade’s operations another manual engine was ordered, but was not added to the very scanty equipment until January, 1866. It was named the “ Star of Dunedin.’’ On September 13, 1863. a minute was recorded stating that the secretary reported “ that the whole of the apparatus was in the hands of the sheriff." The bailiff (Mr Hughes), who was also a member of the brigade, stated that the apparatus was available if required. In 1864 a controversy arose as to whether members of the brigade should be compelled to enter military circles. In the following year a disastrous fire affected 11 buildings in Princes street, and in recognition of the fine service rendered by the brigade a subscription was taken up which amounted to £6OO. In March, 1864, Captain Rees resigned, and Lieutenant Hobbs was elected to the vacancy. The latter resigned two years later in favour of Mr J. Hughes, who was afterwards appointed captain of the Auckland City Brigade, and died at St. Heliers Bay, Auckland, some years ago. “ That the City Council and insurance companies be informed that if we do not receive some support to enable us to carry on the working expenses of the brigade we resign as a body," was a resolution, recorded on October 2, 1865. At the same meeting it was resolved “ that if the council did not provide them with a suitable building by the first meeting in November the brigade would place the gear in front of the Octagon or in front of the ‘ Custom House.’ ”

Another change in the captaincy was recorded in December, 1865, when Mr Rees was re-elected in place of Mr Hughes. In March of the following year Lady Don presented the brigade with a silk banner, which has since been placed in the Early Settlers’ Hall. The old Provincial Government decided to give the brigade assistance in 1867, and included £lOO on the Estimates. Captain Rees reported having purchased a “ Curricle ” engine to be stationed at George street, and in the same year another appeal was made for funds. It was on December 2, 1867, that the first water was turned into the mains for the use of the brigade. One of the most salient features of the’ brigade’s undertakings at that time was the control of a watch tower on the site near where the Girls’ High School now stands. From this tower the bells would be sounded at the hours of 8, 12, 1, and 5 during the day.

In 1868 Mr W. Woodlands was elected captain, when the brigade resigned in a body on account of a disagreement with the City Council. A few weeks later the brigade was reorganised under the captaincy of Mr Job Wain, with Mr W. Hobbs as lieutenant. Further financial difficulties arose, and, after making several threats to the (council to resign, the

brigade broke up on September 18, 1868. A week later, however, the force was in action again under Captain T. Johnston and Lieutenant J. Atkinson. Several years passed without any happening of note, hut in 1875 two men were reported for having drawn their axes on a man. After an explanation had been heard it was decided that they were justified. Mr J. Atkinson acceded to the rank of captain in the following year, and his place was taken by Lieutenant 11. Falconer. About the same time a Dunedin team of firemen left for Australia to take part in the Ballarat demonstration. They amalgamated with a brigade team from Wellington, and won the challenge cup, the most valued prize of the competitions. Mr J. Sinclair had charge of the brigade for a few months in 1877, when he handed over the control to Mr J. Murphy.

Up till this period the brigade had been stationed at the back of the old Post Office in Water street. The next site was where Dr Stuart’s monument now stands, and it was decided to remove the plant to a new building at the back of the Town Hall. This building served its purpose till 1911, when the Cumberland street site was purchased. The services of the brigade had also been given voluntarily, but on July 30, 1883, it was found possible to vote the captain a bonus of £5O, and also to give him the same amount yearly. The whole service was reorganised in September, 1885, on a semi-paid basis, the staff then consisting of Superintendent R. Robertson, one foreman, and 16 firemen. At the Napier demonstration in 1886, a team represented the brigade, and was ■successful in winning the championship against two champion teams from Ballarat. The names of the members of the winning team were as follow: —T. O’Gorman. J. Carrington, W. Skitcb, E. Tattersail, W, M’Kinlay, and J. Low. All of these men are still living except T. O'Gorman, who died in Wellington some time ago.

A further dispute which caused the reorganisation of the brigade occurred four years later, and more trouble was experienced in 1892, when Captain R. Robertson retired, and Mr H. Mitchell was appointed by the City Council to take charge. On the inception of the Fire Board in 1907, Captain H. 'Mitchell, the then captain of the City Brigade, under the control of the City Council, was appointed the first superintendent of the brigade by the Dunedin Fire Board. Mr J. Williams, at present superintendent of the Wanganui Brigade, was appointed station foreman. In August of the next year, Mr J. J. Salmon, for many years a member of the voluntary brigade, was appointed deputy-superintendent, which position he held till his promotion to superintendent upoii the resignation of Mr A. G. Napier. The first Fire Board consisted of Messrs J. Arkle (appointed by Government), John Loudon, J. Small, A. J. Sullivan (representing the City Council), F. G. Cray, W. I. Bolam, and T. Chalmer (insurance companies). Messrs Loudon and Small resigned on June 24 of the same year, and the City Council appointed Messrs J. Wilson (present chairman of the board) and J. E. White to fill the vacancies. Mr Cray, the first chairman of the board, tendered his resignation in March, 1908, consequent upon his transfer to Wellington. Mr T. Chalmer was elected chairman in his stead,' which position he held till June, 1920, since which time Mr J. Wilson (the only original member of the board) has fulfilled the office of chairman with conspicuous ability and judgment. Mr J. T. Hamann was appointed secretary to the board, a position which he has held competently ever since—a period of 23 years. The plant and equipment of the brigade in 1890, when Captain H. Mitchell was in charge, and to-day, when Mr J. J. Salmon superintends, afford an interesting comparison. In 1890 the gear consisted of one hook and ladder appliance and one four-wheeled machine. A horsedrawn reel was stationed at King street, one hand reel at Market street, and one at Arthur street, the total amount of hose possessed not exceeding more than 2000 ft. The staff numbered 16 firemen and two drivers. To-day the fireffighting equipment includes seven modern motor machines, one runabout truck, and electric ladder 83ft long, nine various extension ladders, and over 15,000 ft of hose. Three of the machines are modern pumps. The central force and two sub-units comprise the brigade to-day, and all are permanently employed on stations that are fully equipped on modern lines. The permanent staff numbers 35 (officers and firemen), 10 auxiliary firemen, and 12 theatre firemen.

Prior to 1890 very few men were resident in the station. In those days the ringing of the firebell was a signal for the firemen to rush out from their homes., and with all possible haste make to the station, where the horses had to be harnessed. At night time the horses were stationed on the premises, but in the daytime quite a different procedure was adopted. On the ringing of the bell the first horses on the scene would be harnessed up m readiness to proceed to the fire. Very often a free fight ensued as to whose horse deserved first consideration. The horses used for the purpose always knew when their services were required, and it was quite a common occurrence to see the drivers of horse-drawn vehicles having an anxious time unyoking- the animals to take them to the station. For a long time the horses contracted for at night time only, but after several serious fires had occurred through the brigade not being able to secure horses in time, the City Council decided to do its own sanitary work. Two horses were held continuously at the station, while four were employed at night. THE FIRST BIG FIRE.

According to the early history of the city, the first big fire that occurred in Dunedin resulted in Mr Monson losing his home at Water of Leith on January 26, 1850. The old Dunedin Gaol was burnt on October 6, 1855, the sailing ship Hendry at Port Chalmers on August 27, 1861. There was another big fire in the Otago Daily Times office in the same year, while on December 1 Messrs Cargill and Co.’s store, situated between Walker (now Carroll) and Stafford streets, caught fire, with damage estimated at £lO,OOO. It was in the following year that the brigade was formed.