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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

The Bluff Volunteer Fire Brigade

The Bluff Volunteer Fire Brigade was inaugurated on the 14th of August. 1888, with four members, and has since steadily progressed in numbers and efficiency, In 1903 it had ten members; namely, P. Georgeson, captain; J. Hunter, lieutenant; J. Wilson, foreman; J. Kiernan, secretary; and six firemen. The station, of wood and iron, was built by the Borough Council in Lee Street, in 1899, It contains an engine-shed and social hall, and was duly opened by Sir Joseph Ward. The appliances consist of a hose reel and 1,300 feet of hose, of which 700 feet is new canvas hose of the best quality. The water supply in the borough affords a pressure of 135lbs: thus the Brigade is able to cope with any emergency, and local property owners have to pay insurance rates only on the lowest scale. During the years 1896 to 1903 only four fires occurred, but in 1903 there were six alarms, and the outbreak at the Club Hotel, on the 19th of March, resulted in seven business premises being destroyed or seriously damaged; and, but for the efforts of the Brigade, the consequences would have been much more disastrous. Each member of the Brigade provides his own uniform and tools, and only the helmets are paid for out of the public funds.