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of this parish not exceeding Two pence in the pound (according
to the Direction of the said Act).
Ordd That it be left to the Discretion of the present Churchwardens
and the Churchwardens for the time being to agree
with fitt persons to take care & keep the engines.
Aided perhaps by the produce of the special rate now for
the first time available, the Vestry proceeded further
towards completing the equipment:—
9th February, 1725. Ordd that the Churchwardens do provide
harness for two Horses, and two Lanthorns to be kept in ye
Engine house, and also Three Dozen of Leathern Buckets of
the best sort to be used with ye Engines on any Misfortune of
Fire the charges whereof shall be allowd them on their
account.
8th May, 1725. Ordd That the charge of building the apartment
over the New Engine House be paid by the Churchwardens
such an addition having since the last Vestry been judged
necessary for the constant being of a proper person on the
spot, for the keeping the Keys thereof and for the discharge of
other Parish Business.
Encouragement was offered to those who assisted the
parish staff:—
9th May, 1734.—The Churchwardens acquainted the Vestry that
severall persons who Assisted at Working the Engines at the
late Fire in King Street had applyed to them for a Gratuity for
their great Pains and Labour, some of them having worked for
twenty four hours and others having been appointed to sit up
severall Nights to watch for fear of its breaking out a fresh.
And Mr. Fowkes the Engineer having also applyed for a Gratuity
for his Trouble and the timely Assistance he gave (with his two
Engines) in Extinguishing the said Fire he not being intituled
to any Reward by the Act of Parliament, Parish Engines only
being intituled to Rewards on such Occasions.
Ordd That it be referred to the Churchwardens to Gratifie such
persons who shall appear to them to have assisted at the
said Fire as they shall think proper, and it shall be allowed
them on their Account.
As improvements in the construction of engines were
brought to notice, the Vestry kept pace therewith. In
1742 they purchased "A New large Constant Stream
Suction Engine," and had the "little squirt engine repaired
in a substantial and workmanlike manner," under a
contract, which included terms for the maintenance of the