Bells To Blazes
The Story of the Wellington Fire Brigade 1865-1965
Nonfiction, History, Australia & Oceania
| Author: | Peter Blackmore | ISBN: | 1230000196946 |
| Publisher: | Peter Blackmore | Publication: | November 15, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Peter Blackmore |
| ISBN: | 1230000196946 |
| Publisher: | Peter Blackmore |
| Publication: | November 15, 2013 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
FROM BELLS TO BLAZES
This book is the story of a dedicated band of men who, from the early volunteers to the present-day professional fireman, during a century of service to the public of Wellington, have given of time, their energy and on occasions even their life in providing protection from the dangers of fire, writes the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. F. J. Kitts, in his foreword.
The story actually starts with fire-fighting in the first years of settlement in Wellington, and the Fire Brigade was formed in the same year (1865) as Wellington became the capital of New Zealand. The Brigade’s development and its service to the city have been closely connected with the development of Wellington itself, and these pages contain many interesting historical references to the city.
Drama is provided by the incidence of great fires, of which Wellington has certainly had its share. Many millions of pounds worth of damage has been done to property over the years and many lives have been lost in the city and its suburbs, but the toll would have been much greater had it not been for the exertions and splendid achievements of the Brigade, often in the face of terrific odds. The city’s hills and prevailing winds posed major problems that have had to be coped with. There have been lighter moments, too, and the clashes of the rival brigades in the sixties and seventies were not without their humorous incidents.
FROM BELLS TO BLAZES
This book is the story of a dedicated band of men who, from the early volunteers to the present-day professional fireman, during a century of service to the public of Wellington, have given of time, their energy and on occasions even their life in providing protection from the dangers of fire, writes the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. F. J. Kitts, in his foreword.
The story actually starts with fire-fighting in the first years of settlement in Wellington, and the Fire Brigade was formed in the same year (1865) as Wellington became the capital of New Zealand. The Brigade’s development and its service to the city have been closely connected with the development of Wellington itself, and these pages contain many interesting historical references to the city.
Drama is provided by the incidence of great fires, of which Wellington has certainly had its share. Many millions of pounds worth of damage has been done to property over the years and many lives have been lost in the city and its suburbs, but the toll would have been much greater had it not been for the exertions and splendid achievements of the Brigade, often in the face of terrific odds. The city’s hills and prevailing winds posed major problems that have had to be coped with. There have been lighter moments, too, and the clashes of the rival brigades in the sixties and seventies were not without their humorous incidents.
