What happened to the fire engine?

The former officers’ mess at the Central Police Station at one time featured a small hand-operated fire engine that was obviously of considerable antiquity.

Barbara Anslow has mentioned that a former Commissioner of Police was also in charge of the Fire Brigade before the war. What has happened to the fire engine?

An old time columnist, writing in the 1930s, referred to the Fire Brigade and its original engines.

“We learn that the first meeting of the Fire Brigade was held in the Room of the Asiatic Society that same month (March 1856) and rules were drawn up by a committee appointed for that purpose. The Brigade was called the Victoria Volunteer Fire Brigade and consisted of three divisions, Engine companies Nos 1 2 and 3. The Brigade was supported by voluntary subscription and its property was to be handed over to the Colonial Government whenever the Brigade was considered totally inefficient…

“Curiously enough, at its inception the Brigade received little encouragement from the insurance companies and foreign Hongs. On the other hand, the Chinese merchants contributed voluntarily and liberally towards this public utility.

“Afterwards this state of affairs was remedied by the firm of Messrs. Dent and Co., placing a fire engine at the disposal of the brigade.”

Could this have been the engine that used to be on display in the Central Police Station mess?

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