Malden, Mass., has a new Silsby engine, the Elisha S. Converse No. 1, which was satisfactorily tested September 11 before a large crowd, including many prominent fire department officials from other towns. The water was drawn from a brook, and was unavoidably muddy. Ten pounds of steam were raised in 3 minutes, and 35 pounds in 5 minutes and 45 seconds. With 100 feet of hose and 1 1/8-inch nozzle a stream was thrown 235 feet across the wind. Two streams of 200 feet were thrown through 100 feet of hose and i-inch nozzles. Through four lines of too feet each, and )^-inch nozzles, streams of 1C3 feet were thrown. Through two lines of hose, siamesed, with a 1 X-inch nozzle, a stream of 235 feet was thrown, and with a iji-inch nozzle one of 236 feet; then a iX-inch smooth bore nozzle was used, sending a stream 271 feet 5 inches. Through 1450 feet of hose and a ijjj-inch nozzle, a stream was thrown to the top of the arch in the church tower ; but the hose coupling gave out under 280 pounds water pressure. Fifty feet of hose were taken off, and another trial made with a i-inch nozzle. The stream rose 120 feet, but the couplings again gave out. A stream was then thrown over the steeple of the Baptist church, rising 190 or 195 feet, and then, horizontally, 283 feet 8 inches.

On Monday morning last, Chief Thomas O’Connor of the New Orleans Fire Department, accompanied by Fire Commissioner W. F. Bulger, arrived in Chicago for the purpose of inspecting the new turn-table hook and ladder truck recently ordered for their department of E. B. Preston & Co., the well-known fire apparatus builders. At two o’clock the truck was tested in front of one of Chicago’s six-story warehouses, under the superintendence of A. Bruegger, general sales agent of the company. Chief Redell of the first batallion, assisted by Captain Malley and the members of Hook and Ladder Truck Company No. 6, handled the apparatus, and the test was entirely satisfactory in every particular to Chief O’Connor, Commissioner Bulger, Chas. S. Petrie, secretary and superintendent of repair shop, Chicago Department, and other experts present, all of wh'om subjected the truck to a close examination and pronounced it a success. It is a very handsome piece of apparatus and reflects credit upon its manufacturers. The extension ladder is seventy-six feet long and works like a charm. It is fully equipped with ladders of all sizes, extinguishers, axes, poles, etc., and embellished by handsome photographs of Chief O'Connor and President I. N. Marks of the Firemen's Charitable Association, set in the wood-work. It will go at once into service, will be manned by the America Hook and Ladder Company, one of the best of he New Orleans companies, and is located in the business district.

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