THE STEAM FIRE ENGINE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2707, 22 September 1887, Page 2

THE STEAM FIRE ENGINE.

; The following'report from .Cafitaia Page was read tit the last meeting of the Masterton Borough Council His Worship the Mayor and Cobbcillprs of the Bbrotigh of •Gentlemen, in compliance with. yodSEv, request to try the steam tire engine, I 1 have this day given tho desired trial, and I may say a veiy severe one, and , can confidently assert that 110 fear need bo experienced as to its safety in working, or its efficiency for<#e extinguishing purposes, 'in raWig Btenw, with cold water, from the lighting of the. fire, to the water showing at the nozzle, your Town Clerk has the vocord;- On this point I desire to-bring before -your notine, that, Ist, the'fire was -improperly laid for raising steam quickly j 2nd, : ''rooro water was in tho boiler than- is necessary, for .quick steaming; 3rd,'that tli.o engine was not. starced'bcfore SOlbs pressure of steam ahowed- on whereas ;m>:-actual ■"■\VoVk"- 1 Quired at the start of a flay tho engine, could be started /with "401bs of Btearn

The maximum pressure ofsteatn used was 140 lb to square inch, the safety valves blowing oli at the same thus proving the steaming qualities ow the engine. The maximum upon the water guage was 130lbs to square inch, thus showing the engine capable of exerting the required pressure. Working with one delivery with i|in, nozzle, no proper means could be used to ascertain the correct vortical height to which the top of the jet reached. Also a strong breeze was blowing at the time, which interfered with the jet from its first appeaicce at the nozzle, ''But lam quite (JlSain it to be possible to raise the vertical jet to the height certified to by the makers, provided all things to be favorable to the trial. I desire also to call attention to the fact that the makers test is passing water through '4O feet of hose, whereas on this occasion the water passed■through 230 feet of hcse or 190 feet more than allowed by the makers, .Taking thuso facts into co.i sideration, I. consider tho work per. formed by the engine highly satisfactory The trial 'with two deliveries was given with one land 1| ■inch nozzles, during this trial the engine worked "smoothly and' well. In conclusion. I have much pleasure in certifying' that I consider you have an engine porfect and strong in all its details—-and with care—will ( I am sure give every, satisfaction. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your Obedient Semnt, *, '. Robert w Captain, Wellington Firo Brigade.