The Loudon Firemen.
The Comhlll Magazine.
In the same year was established a
school of instruction for recruits.
Every man who joins the brigade
has to undergo a period of instruction,
during which time he draws pay. He
has to be clothed, taught, housed,
and in every way looked after, and
for a considerable time gives no ret
urn whatever for the expense, which
is calculated at about £IOO per man.
After a time he gives a little, and at
about the end of a year becomes
thoroughly useful. The recruit must
in the first place be a seaman, under
20 years of age and unmarried, must
measure not less than thirty-seven
inches round the chest and is gene
rally preferred at least five feet five
inches in height. He must be a man
of general intelligesce, able to read
and write, must pass a medical in
spection, and produce certificates of
birth and testimonials as to character
and service. The pay at first joining
is 24s a week and it rises to 27s sd, 30s
10d, 3i 31, 4ls and 46s 9d. The uni
from is supplied ycariv, and there is
now a liberal arrangement for grat
uities and pensions, with which the
men ’appear to be in general satisfied.
