Test of Ahrens Engine.

Omaha, Neb., has recently tested and purchased a first-size Continental engine, the order for which was placed with the Ahrens Fire Engine company by the commissioners of that city, although the price to be paid for it was not the lowest, and the firm did not solicit the order. The commissioners, before placing the order with the Cincinnati firm, had investigated on their own account the working of similar engines in different cities where thev are in service. The Omaha machine is of smaller size than two of the old engines in use there; but it proved itself of equal capacity. Four lines of hose of 100 ft. each, with 4 1-in. nozzles, were attached and siamesed. and within a very few minutes after the fire had been started under the boiler a powerful iH-in. stream was thrown 50 ft. above the city hall tower, which is 192 ft. Four separate streams were also thrown for nearly a block, each one of which easily reached the roof of the city hall.