Page:Municipal Handbook of Auckland 1922.djvu/273

 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.