New England Notes
Superintendent Samuel Abbott has retired on half pay after serving for forty years as head of the Boston Protective Department. He was formerly a member of the Boston fire department, and held the ranking of district chief when he left the city service to take charge of the insurance patrol which in Boston is known as the “Protective Department.” Superintendent Abbott began his duties on July 1, 1880, and under his direction the protective department has grown from a force of two horse drawn companies with eleven permanent men and fourteen call men, to the present complement of three double companies, fifteen pieces of motor equipment, nine officers and sixty-five privates.
Recent transfers in the Boston fire department are as follows: District Chief Frank J. Sheeran, from Engine Company No. 19’s house, Mattapan, to district 8; District Chief John N. Lally, from district 8 to district 12, Jamaica Plain; and Captain John J. Gavin to Engine Company No. 19 as acting district chief. Fifteen firemen, largely men who have been incapacitated for active fire duty, were assigned to the fire prevention bureau under direction of Lieutenant Daniel J. Cadigan.