Historic fire engine left in Ohakune?

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 30, 17 December 1985, Page 5

Historic fire engine left in Ohakune?

Has anyone around Ohakune seen a 70-year-old steam-driven fire engine in an advanced state of retirement? The machine in question is a 1911 English-built Mereweather which used to be operated by the Wanganui Volunteer Fire Brigade but was "retired" years ago. Apparently it went to a sawmill in the Ohakune area and may have been used as a stationary steam engine. Now, a Christchurch man with a great love of fire appliances of the steam era would like to know if the

Mereweather still exists. Mr Fergus Ayson, a fit 80-year-old, maintains two old appliances at the Christchurch museum of transport and technology, Ferrymead — an 1873 Shand-Mason and an 1886 Mereweather, both horse-drawn with steam-powered pumps. A retired engineer, Mr Ayson learnt of the Wanganui Mereweather from a fire service friend and his enquiries so far have failed to locate its present resting place. "If it could be restored, I'd go up and have a look, al-

though 1 lmagine it would be far from whole by this time," he said in a letter to this newspaper. "The appliance had a chain drive from a steam engine which also powered the pump. "It would enhance our collection at Ferrymead by showing the progress from the horse-drawn machines. We could take it on the roads at Ferrymead, giving youngsters rides," Mr Ayson said. If anyone can help him with his enquiry, they could write to him at 169 Major Hornbrook Road, Mount Pleasant, Christchurch 8.