The new station recently erected in Curzon Street was formally opened on Tuesday night last. The station is an imposing and substantial erection and is replete with all the latest appliances and conveniences. A representative gathering of the mayor, who opened the station, councillors, well-known citizens, and fire brigade officers assembled to "start the station."
After a general inspection of the building, headed by Superintendent Stein, the fire horses were turned out at the ring of a bell, and promptly fell in to their stations, where they are harnessed instanter, by catches. Talk of Fillie's Circus, the training of the North Melbourne fire brigade horses eclipses all the performances of the ring, and the sagacity shown by these animals caused considerable surprise among the visitors.
An adjournment was then made to the supper table, Mr. Watson of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Board being in the chair. He congratulated the district on having such a commodious and substantial station erected at a comparatively small cost, and felt sure the brigade, under Superintendent Longhridge, would ever be ready to respond to calls for the saving of property and the rescue of life.
The Mayor (Cr. J. Gardiner) complimented the Board on their new premises, but was sorry to lose them as tenants of the council. He believed the brigade was a credit to the district.
Superintendent Stein said he was proud of his men, and the splendid station erected at North Melbourne. He believed every man who wore the fireman's uniform was "ready and willing," and prompt to answer the call to duty.
The Chairman then proposed the toast of the North Melbourne Town Council.
The Mayor responded, and in a few words pointed out the good work done by the fire brigades.
Cr. Fogarty also said a few words.
The company then returned to the fire station, and the superintendent rang up several other brigades, head station, with their Hayes ladder, Carlton, Essendon, South Melbourne, and they arrived in a very short space of time.
The station is certainly one of the best around Melbourne, and reflects great credit on Messrs Wilkinson and Permewan, the architects. It contains five good rooms upstairs, together with men's quarters in the lower floor, kitchen, scullery, bathroom, and a large allotment of ground at the rear suitable for a kitchen garden. We congratulate Mr. Loughridge on his new quarters and the active and intelligent contingent of men under his control.
