MASTERTON'S NEW CENTRAL FIRE STATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10134, 3 November 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON'S NEW CENTRAL FIRE STATION.

Masterton's new Central Fire Station, an illustration of which appears above, is to be officially opened this afternoon by the Hon. D. Buddo, Minister of internal Affairs. The station, which is in brick, makes a very decided improvement in the class of buildings hitlieito erected in Mastertou. The new building is of two storeys, being 30 feet in height, and having a frontage of 32 feet to Queen Street, with a depth of 102 feet, and a right-of-way at the side 13 feet wide. From the street, the miilding presents a strikingly handsome appearance, having two separate arched entrances 11 feet wide. The doors are folding, and run on specially constructed fittings, which can be opened instantly from inside. The lower portion of the building is finished in cement stucco. The upper portion is finished in pressed brick, and all mouldings, cornices, and enrichments are in stucco. The ground floor contains a large and spacious engine-room, having two front entrances, also one from the

right-of-way at the side of the building. At the rear of the engine-room are two stalls to accommodate two horses, which are to be kept on the premises, in case of emergency. A large watch room, loft by 10ft, Avelllighted, and having door entrances from the engine-room, right-of-way, and custodian's residence, is also situated behind the engine-room. Provision is marie for the installation of the electric fire jilarm service. From the watch-room is a stairway leading to the first floor, on which is a large meeting-room, 40ft by 30ft, sub-divided by folding doors, hung on McCabc's ball-bearing hangers, (which may be easily opened and closed as required), for the holding of meetings, and to accommodate both -Fire Brigade and Fire Police.

TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED TO-DAY.

(Joy, Photo.)

For quickness of despatch of engine and Brigade to fires, a sliding pole is fixed in a well-bole, enabling firemen to descend to the ground floor of the engine-roo ri. At the rear of the meeting-rooms are situated apartments to accommodate fourteen men, with bath-rooms and all conveniences. On the ground floor, at the rear of the watcli-room and engine-room, provision is made for the caretaker in the shape of a living-room, kitchen, scullery, pantry, hall, and four bedrooms, bathroom and conveniences. At the rear of the station is a tower constructed of angle steel, with a look-out enclosed in glass. The height of the tower is 65ft., and the bell is rung with a high-pressure motor-engine. Platforms are provided at various suitable heights, and provision is also made on the tower for the drying of hoses. The building, which has cost about £2IOO, was erected by Messrs King and Son, builders, from designs prepared by Mr Herbert A. Jones, architect. The plumbing work was done by Mr R. E. Jones, and the brickwork and plastering by Mr A. Hanghey. The painters were Messrs J. Smith and Sons. The tower was constructed by Mr J. C. Ewington. The buildingis suitably furnished for the purposes to which it is being put, the furniture having been supplied by Mr J. H. Blockloy. The money required for the construction of the buildinghas been provider! by the Fire Board, of whom the members are Messrs (). C. Pragnoll (chairman), Jv f-l. Pauling, J. P. Prentice, J. C. Ewington, C. Pearcv, H. C!. Kemptliome, R. M. Simpson, and R. Brown (secretary), whose names appear upon a .stone tablet inserted in a pier in the front of the building.