Protection against Fire.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 930, 30 March 1881, Page 6

Protection against Fire.

The following interesting item is from the New Zealand Times ßy the last mail we received the following from the editor of The Fireman : —Sir, — My attention having been directed to the recent, fires in your district, I venture to ask you to allow me to trespass a little on your space while I inform your readers of a portable and inexpensive little engine, which I have seen in frequent use by the gallant army commanded by Captain Shaw, C.B. It is technically known as the “ London Brigade hand pump,” and though it is very light it can be carried about and worked by a lad or female, yet so powerful a jet is discharged that no fire, if attacked at its inception, can live under it. Only water is required to supply it; dirty water will do passed from the nearest vessel on an emergency. This will keep it going until further help can arrive, when, in all probability, no further help will be needed. From Captain Shaw’s report I glean that out of 4,199 London fires during 1878, no fewer than, 2,540 were extinguished by the London Brigade hand pump. Although so copiously adopted by the London Fire Brigade, the London Brigade hand pump forms part of the furniture of most of our hospitals, and public and private establishments. The cost of the machine is, I believe, only three or four pounds, and the wonder is that so economical and efficient a means of protection is not more generally adopted.—Yours faithfully, Leonard Miller.