W. L. Wilson

“ 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. ”

“ 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 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 The Board decided to replace this out-of-date apparatus with modern fire fighting appliances, and immediately acquired a large Thornecroft motor tender, with a speed of forty miles per hour, and capable of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. ”