Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1898-04-18
The FIRE COMMISSIONERS
Proposition to Purchase the Chinese
Engine COmpany'S Outfit.
Fires and Losses Of the Past Two Years
Makiki Fire Station Modern Hook
and Ladder Truck.

that the tre losses OF this city for
the two years ending December
81, 1897, amounted to S26,2S1,
divided as follows: Campbell
Eblers fire S42,537; W. II. Corn
well residence $4,000; Gray Far
rington fire at Waikiki S4500; 81
sundry fires 1924.
The interior of the building in
the Campbell Ehlers fire was
raging furnace before the depart
ment received the alarm, but the
damage was confined to that build
ing. The buildings and contents
in the Cornwell and Gray Far.
riDgton fires were practically des-
troyed before the apparatus could
cover the distance from the sta
tions. The small amount of loss
in the remaining 81 fires indicates
the high efficiency and activity of
the Department.
The Commissioners have re-
Gently been offered the steam en-
gine, hose reel, ETC., formerly
used by China Engine Co. No. l
for the sum of $500 by the Unit
ed Chinese Society, the present
owners, who propose to use the
proceeds of the sale, if effected,
for the benefit of the Chinese
Hospital The steam engine,
when fitted with new tubes and
slightly repaired, can be used ad-
vat tageou-ly, and in view of past
services and good faith of these
people in connection with the De
partmt Mt, the Boa d recommends
the appropriation of the SUN ne
cessary to make the purchase.
The Commissioners also direct
attention to the recommendation
Of the Chief Engineer in the mat
ter of equipmento of a modern hook
and ladder truck. The com
missioners are of the opinion that
present conditions warrant this
addition to the Department and
are convinced that in the near
future its need will become plain
y apparent.
The Board also reiterates its
advocacy of the establishment of
n Chemical Fire Station on the
Plaius.
The Commissioners commend
the Chief Engineer and his asso-
ciat-s for their excellent work
during the p"riod and express
their appreciation of the hearty
co operation Of the Minister of the
Interior with the Department in
all matters PERTAINING to its effici-
ency and welfare.
Chief EngIurer Hunt says that
the Sc alarms answered by the
Department IN the two years were
caused as follows: Explosion of
kerosene oil lamps 6, spontaneous
combustion 9, defective smoke
-tacke 6, tobacco smoking 3, elec-
trio wire fuse l, fireworks |, un-
known 10, false alarms 2, matches
5, burning rubbish 5, kerosene
stoves 2, boiling mixtures 3, lime l,
brush fire. l, charcoal iron |.
The total loss from these fires as
already stated was S6l,2Sl. The
insurance on the same was $40
700. The losses actually paid by
the insurance companies was 1872,
2O6: Losses not covered by in
surance S28,825
The amount appropriated by
the Legi-lature for salaries and
payrolls for the period was $4l,-
400, which was all expended but
S25. The am0uEt appropriated
for material and supplies was
Sl46O0 of which there remained
Sl73 76 at The end of the PEI iud.
AS to the condition of the ap-
psratus the chief reports that all
of it has been kept in good repair
as occasion required. The Amos
keag engines Of Station 2 are in
servic able condition but provi-
sion must be made to renew their
boilers, which have been in con
tinuous use for IA years and both
needed patching during the past
year.
Increased liberty to the mem
bers of the department and better
remuneration to hosemen have
done much to rai.e the personnel
of the companies and the present
condition is first class.