Pay of New York Firemen
The New York Fire Department is controlled by three Commissioners, who are appointed by the Mayor, by and with the consent of the Board of Aldermen. They hold office for six years, retiring at intervals of two years. The salary of the President of the Board is $5,500 per annum, and that of the other Commissioners $3,500 each. The Chief of the Department is paid $4,700 a year, and his assistant £3,000. There are ten Chiefs of Battalions, who
receive £2,500 each; Foremen of companies, £1,500 each; Assistant Foremen, £1,300 ; Engineers, £1,300; Assistant Engineers, £1,250; Firemen, £1,200; Privates, £800; Hosemen, £300. Privates and Hosemen are permitted to engage in other employments, hut must be on duty with their companies whenever they aro called out to a fire. The total number of men in the Department is about seven hundred and fifty, constituting forty-two companies. They are thoroughly drilled in the use of their apparatus, are uniformed, and are noted for their efficiency, courage, coolness, and attention to duty. The New York Fire Department is an institution of which all citizens aro justly exceedingly proud.
HAND ENGINE Contest.—In response to a challenge from the Protector Engine Company, of Brockton, Mass., to the Butcher Boy Company, of South Braintree, Mass., the two machines met Saturday afternoon, Nov. 3rd, for a friendly trial. The conditions were that each should play a horizontal stream through 200 feet of hose, fifteen minutes each, alternately. The playing was in “ with the wind.” A large crowd was present, and the utmost good feeling was manifested between the contestants. The best plays wero: Protector, 221 feet inch; Butcher Boy, 216 feet 10 inches The latter company, though beaten, feel highly elated at their record, which now places them ahead of the rival machine in their own town. At the conclusion of tho trial the victorious Protectors handsomely entertained their visitors with an elaborate supper and a general “good time,” the Butcher Boys leaving for homo by a special train at 9 oclock in the evening.
THE VOLUNTEER Fund.—As many of our friends are desirious to know how the Old Volunteer Fund is invested we would state that at the last annual report the Permanent Fund was £110,000 which is invested as follows:
£88,400 on Bond and Mortgage; United States Goverment Bonds, £2,350; in Manhattan Bank Stock, £250; Kings County Bonds, 81,000; New York City, £7,000, and £1,000 belonging to Permanent Fund uninvested. We have in addition thereto an Available Fund of £43,321.17, invested as follows: New York City Stocks, £20,000; deposit in the Metropolitan Savings Bank, £20,560.51; Government Bonds, £1,000, and balance in the Butchers’ and Drovers’ Bank, £760.86, making the total amount of assets, $153,321.17.
We shall allude to this fund more fully hereafter.
How TO START A Fire.—Engineer Murphy, Engine 2, of Cleveland, Ohio, has invented the most ingenious contrivance for the lighting of his engine we have yet seen. It eclipses sulphuric matches and every thing else, and, best of all, is of no expense comparatively. It consists of a continuation of the gas pipe directly under the engine, made to run up through the floor beneath the fire box. A common match is so placed that by pulling & lever it becomes ignited, which fires the gas, throwing a stream of it burning into the shavings. The engine in leaving the house strikes another small lever, turning out the gas completely, thereby saving expense. The amount of gas consumed will not cost ten cents a year, the only expense being the cost of extending the gas pipe to the engine. In this era of economy and frugality Murphy has achieved a success that in his line can’t be beaten.
