# Municipal and Official Handbook of the City of Auckland, New Zealand/Fire Board

AUCKLAND FIRE BOARD.
Auckland's early fire brigades were volunteer organisations. In the seventies, soon after the formation of the Auckland City Council, under the Municipal Corporations Act, the Fire Brigade became a department of the Corporation, and continued under the Council's control until 1907, when the Auckland Fire Board took over the brigade under the provisions of "The Fire Brigades Act, 1906." The Board, which consists of seven members, one appointed by the Governor, three elected by insurance companies, and three appointed by the City Council, held its first meeting on July 1st, 1907.
The plant at the time of the change of the control consisted of one small motor tender and four pair of horse machines. The Board decided to replace this out-of-date apparatus with modern fire fighting appliances, and immediately acquired a large Thornecroft motor tender, with a speed of forty miles per hour, and capable of carrying twelve men and the necessary first aid equipment. In 1909 a large 120-horse power Dennis Gwynne motor turbine pump, capable of throwing 800 gallons of water per minute, at 120lbs. pressure, was obtained. This was the largest motor pump in existence at that period for fire fighting purposes, and has not yet been superseded.
CITY FIRE STATION.
​extension ladder, capable of extending 87ft. without resting on any structure at the top. This meant with drawing from service three pair of horses, only one pair being retained to draw the Shand Mason fire escape.
The new Board also increased the staff, which necessitated an enlargement of the Central Station, and a fine two storey brick building, with reinforced concrete floors was erected in Beresford Street, containing twelve rooms for single men on the ground floor and quarters for three married men on the first floor, and a flat roof for yard accommodation. The cost of this addition was about £6,000.
In 1913 began the first of a series of amalgamations with suburban districts, Arch Hill and Parnell joining the City. To meet the requirements of Parnell a new station, provided with a Kissel motor tender and a staff of three men, was opened in Manukau Road, near St. Stephen's Avenue. Electric fire alarms were installed, and to provide a sufficient water supply the district was reticulated with new mains, bringing it up to the City standard. At Arch Hill electric fire alarms were installed, and reticulation of water undertaken.
In the following year (1914) Grey Lynn amalgamated with the City, and additions were made to the existing station, a 38 hp. Daimler motor was provided, and the staff increased to five. Electric alarms were also installed.
​Remuera joined the City in 1915, and a new station was erected on Remuera Road, close to Victoria Avenue. The staff consists of six permanent men. The motor tender is a 40 h.p. Kissel. Electric alarms were also installed.
Eden Terrace also joined the City in this year, but owing to its proximity to the City station it was only necessary to instal electric fire alarms.
Epsom became part of the City in 1917, but as the stations at Parnell and Remuera were considered sufficient to deal with outbreaks of fire in these districts, all that was required to bring the district up-to-date was the installation of electric fire alarms.
Point Chevalier is the latest district to amalgamate with the City, and to meet the demands of residents in this locality the Board immediately acquired a site on which a station will be erected shortly.
A site has also been secured in Ponsonby Road, on which it is proposed to erect a station, to be known as the Western Station.
When the Fire Board first took over control of the Brigade it consisted of a central station, a station in Ponsonby, the Beach Road station, and a total staff of twenty-two permanent men and twenty-one auxiliary firemen under the command of Superintendent C. A. Woolley. Superintendent W. L. Wilson, who succeeded the late Mr. Woolley, now controls five stations and a staff of forty-two permanent men and twenty auxiliaries.
​The fire alarm system has been thoroughly renewed under the present Superintendent by the installation of the Duplex fire alarm system, which is practically the last word in fire alarm installations. With its highly trained staff and first-class appliances, Auckland can safely consider itself to be one of the best protected cities from the ravages of the fire fiend.
The annual cost of the Brigade in the year 1906 was £3,000, and for the year ending 30th June, 1921, it reached the sum of £17,000.
Mr. David Goldie was Chairman of the Board from its formation until 1917. He is still a member of the Board and one of the most regular attenders. Mr. H. P. Kissling succeeded Mr. Goldie, but resigned on being appointed General Manager of his Company. He was succeeded by the present occupier of the position, Mr. J. J. Kingston.
The following gentlemen constitute the present Board:—Messrs. David Goldie, appointed by the Governor; G. R. Hutchinson, J. W. Hardley, E. Davis, appointed by the Auckland City Council; J. J. Kingston, W. W. Saunders, W. Pavitt, elected by the insurance companies.
Mr. Percy Butler was the original Secretary, and the Board is fortunate in still having his services.
W. L. WILSON,
Superintendent.