FIRE BRIGADES OF THE DOMINION (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929, BY THE INSPECTOR OF FIRE BRIGADES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session I, H-12

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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

FIRE BRIGADES OF THE DOMINION (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1929, BY THE INSPECTOR OF FIRE BRIGADES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Inspector of Fire Brigades to the Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs. Office of Inspector of Fire Brigades (Department of Internal Affairs), Wellington, 17th July, 1929. Sir, — Herewith I have the honour to lay before you my twenty-first annual report, for the year ended 31st March, 1929, relative to the working of the Fire Brigades Act, and including matter in connection therewith. One new fire district was constituted during the year —viz., Opotiki, Ist October, 1928. Following is a list of the fifty Fire Boards now operating : — Auckland Hawera Oamaru Tauranga Balclutha Hikurangi Ohakune Te Aroha Christchurch Hokitika Onehunga Te Awamutu Dannevirke Invercargill Opotiki Timaru Dargaville Kaiapoi Otaki Waihi Dunedin Kaitangata Pahiatua Waipukurau Eltham Lawrence Palmerston North Wairoa Feilding Levin Petone Waitara Foxton Masterton Port Chalmers Wanganui Gisborne Milton Pukekohe Wellington Greymouth Mount Roskill Rotorua Westport Hamilton Napier Taumarumii Whangarei. Hastings New Plymouth Fire districts and brigades working under Fire Board control, their stations and equipment, have been officially inspected and reported upon as follows : — Auckland, January 29 and 30, 1929. Oamaru, October 30, 1928. Balclutha, December 6, 1928. Ohakune, January 23, 1929. Christchurch, October 29, 1928. Onehunga, October 12, 1928. Dannevirke, January 16, 1929. Otaki, February 13, 1928. Dunedin, December 8 and 10, 1928. Pahiatua, January 14, 1929. Eltham, September 26, 1928. Palmerston North, March 12, 1929. Feilding, April 10, 1928. Petone, February 19, 1929. Foxton, February 7, 1929. Port Chalmers, December 7, 1928. Gisborne, November 7, 1928. Pukekohe, June 14, 1928. Greymoutli, October 25, 1928. Rotorua, November 23, 1928. Hamilton, November 20, 1928. Taumarunui, January 24, 1929. Hastings, September 18, 1928. Tauranga, November 21, 1928. Hawera, September 24, 1928. Te Aroha, November 20, 1928. Hikurangi, October 9, 1928. Te Awamutu, November 26, 1928. Hokitika, October 26, 1928. Timaru, October 21, 1928. Invercargill, December 5, 1928. Waihi, November 20, 1928. Kaiapoi, October 29, 1928. Waipukurau, September 17, 1928. Levin, February 5, 1929. Wairoa, November 6, 1928. Masterton, January 15, 1929. Waitara, September 26, 1928. Milton, December 4, 1928. Wanganui, February 6, 1929. Mount Roskill, January 24, 1929. Wellington, July 12, 1928. Napier, November 5, 1928. Westport, October 24, 1928. New Plymouth, September 25, 1928. Whangarei, October 8, 1928.

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Circumstances have not permitted inspection of the Kaitangata and Lawrence Fire Districts. During the inspection visits instruction in fire drill and in fire-protection matters generally has been given in the smaller towns ; inspections have been made and reports furnished in respect to public buildings and institutions ; advice has been given to local bodies and others in regard to water-supplies and fire-prevention ; specifications for the supply of plant and appliances have been drawn up ; quite a number of tests have been made and reports furnished in respect to tentative inventions and improvements in fire-prevention equipment; also, public addresses on the subjects of fire waste and fire-prevention matters have been delivered. Special visits and reports have been made, of which the following are the principal:— Napier : May 17, 1928 —Address, Chamber of Commerce. Dunedin : May 28, 1928—Board meeting ; plans of proposed new central fire-station. Wellington : June 5, 1928—Address, Chamber of Commerce. Rotorua : November 25, 1928 —Inspection and report, King George V Hospital. Upper Hutt: March 22, 1929—Inspection and report, picture-theatres. Trentham : March 23, 1929 —Inspection, Trentham Camp. Masterton : April 9, 1929—District fire-brigades demonstration. Auckland : June 19, 1928-—lnspection, sites for new substations, Avondale and Tamalri. Wanganui: September 3, 1928 —Annual meeting. Onehunga : October 6 and 7, 1928 —District Fire Brigades Conference, and meeting executive United Fire Brigades Association. Palmerston North : October 16, 1928 —Annual meeting. Te Aroha : November 21, 1928—District inspection. Hokitika : February 23 to March 3,1929 —United Fire Brigades Conference and demonstration. Following upon an invitation from the executive officers of the United Fire Brigades Association, I attended their annual conference and biannual demonstration held in Hokitika in February last, and delivered an address to the delegates upon fire-prevention matters generally. At the request of the Conference this address is to be printed and distributed to the brigades. There was a great improvement throughout in the methods of carrying out the demonstration ; antiquated events were modernized, and certain of the appliances were replaced by more up-to-date gear. Altogether this demonstration was the most practical and educationally successful that has been held within my experience, and the executive officers of the association are to be highly commended for the firm manner in which they have at last taken this matter in hand. Further, it was pleasing to see the appreciative manner in which the drastic and even exacting alterations made in most of the events were accepted by the brigades taking part in the competitions. Two new Volunteer Fire Police Corps have been formed, and chief officers of brigades continue to report in highly appreciative terms of the valuable services at fires rendered by these purely voluntary organizations, the members of which are all prominent citizens of their respective towns. Following are the principal improvements and additions to equipment in various fire districts : — Auckland : Purchase of new station site, Tamaki district; 40-45 h.p. motor first-aid hose-and" ladder tender ; continuous foam generator set. Christchurch : Continuous foam generator set. Dunedin : Plans prepared for new headquarters station. Invercargill: New 65 h.p. 500-700 g.p.m. pump and first-aid motor, fitted with 65 ft. fire-escape ladder. Pukekohe : Plans prepared for new fire-station. Rotorua : Purchase of new station-site. Tauranga : Installation electric fire-alarm siren. Timaru : Erection of two cottage residences for married firemen. Westport: New 14-28 h.p. motor hose-and-ladder tender. Six new auto-sprinkler, eight auto-detector, and two private manual alarms have been installed during the twelve months. The following fatalities have been reported : — Auckland : April 1, 1928—Rhokler Beuth, brigade chauffeur, severely burned by benzineexplosion and died next day. Dunedin : June 9, 1928 —Two-story eight-roomed dwelling destroyed by fire. Horace Mann, owner, burnt to death, and Helen Mann, elderly spinster, severely burnt and died two days later. Gisborne : March 3, 1929—Motor-shed. The owner died as a result of burns whilst trying to extinguish the fire. Quite a number of casualties of a less serious nature than the above are reported as having occurred to brigadesmen and civilians. The number of fire calls received throughout the forty-nine fire districts for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1929, totalled 3,046 : of that number 1,350 were property fires, 354 chimney fires, 609 bush, grass, and rubbish fires, 637 false alarms, and 96 out-of-district fires. The fire loss (all losses quoted, unless otherwise stated, include loss sustained on both insured and non-insured property) throughout the fire districts for the twelve months amounted to £710,596. The four heaviest district losses occurred in Wellington (£294,070), Auckland (£74,958), Dunedin (£42,775), and Christchurch (£39,166). Incendiarism is returned as the cause of 40 fires, involving a loss of £11,210, and 53 fires occurred in unoccupied buildings, with a loss of £8,683. Following is a list of fires, most of them in connection

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with domestic matters, nearly all of them due to carelessness : Electric irons, kettles, and cookers left switched on were responsible for 40 fires, with a loss of £34,540 ; children with matches, and matches thrown down alight, 125 fires, loss £36,993 ; cigarette-butts and smoking, 68 tires, loss £12,935 ; sparks from copper-fires and fireplaces, 92 fires, loss £12,746 ; live ashes thrown out, 32 fires, loss £11,293 : gas rings and stoves, 26 fires, loss £8,103 ; airing clothes before the fire, 15 (ires, loss £4,423 ; naked lights in proximity to benzine, 49 fires, loss £2,558 : a total of 447 fires, causing a loss amounting to £123,591 —practically all due to carelessness in some form or degree. The fire loss throughout New Zealand for the twelve months ended 31st December, 1928, is estimated at £1,636,118 —a conservative estimate; and it is a safe assumption that the actual loss exceeds the amount stated. This, with the population for that period estimated at 1,453,517, gives an average loss of 225. 6d. per head of population. The loss in the forty-nine fire districts for the same twelve-months period amounted to £683,082, which with a population of 611,280 residing within the districts gives a per capita loss of 225. 4d. ; whilst the loss for the 842,237 persons resident in other than fire districts amounted to £953,036, an average of 225. 7d. per capita. Carelessness in regard to fire and its consequences is too deeply ingrained to expect any radical reform in that respect in our present adult population, and in my opinion one of the most effective means of reducing the prevailing excessive number of outbreaks of fire —and which at the present time is proving to be so in the United States of America and Canada—is the compulsory teaching of fire-prevention in our schools and colleges, and by that method inculcating in the rising generation an individual sense of responsibility and care in respect to danger and loss by fire. Another effective means towards reduction of our enormous fire waste, and which, at the risk of it being considered tiresome reiteration, I would once again advocate, is the installation of automatic protection in factories, emporiums, warehouses, and other large commercial establishments. There is now installed in buildings throughout the forty-nine fire districts 45 auto-sprinkler installations and 142 auto-detector installations of various patterns, or 187 in all, only a tithe of what there should be. There are also 106 private manual fire-alarms : these are call boxes of various patterns fixed inside the building, connected by direct wire with the local fire-station and operated by switch or pressbuttons. It is on record that one of the auto-sprinkler systems has, throughout the world, extinguished 28,000 fires, with, including water damage, an average loss of £60 per fire ; and the Associated Fire Alarms Co. of London publish the following statement, as taken from the records of twelve leading British fire-insurance companies : The total premium received for ten years amounted to £1,616,000 ; fire loss for the same period, £42,720 ; percentage of premium loss, 2J per cent., as against a premium loss of 51 per cent, sustained on property not protected by automatic alarms. To appreciate what these records really mean, it should be understood that they apply only to outbreaks of fire occurring in large properties. Auto-protection systems are mostly installed only in mills, factories, dry-goods stores, and suchlike large establishments, that under the conditions of occupation, together with the inflammable nature of their contents, render them more subject to outbreaks of fire, and where a late call would mean very serious loss, and, contingently, destruction of adjoining property. Out of the 1,350 property fires, 1,339 resulted in an aggregate loss of £340,208, whilst the remaining eleven fires were responsible for £370,208, or 58 per cent, of the total loss, amounting to £710,506, incurred in the forty-nine fire districts. The eleven outbreaks occurred on properties typical for " auto-protection," and, according to the published records of results set out above and covering practically every country in the world, had such protection been installed there is every right to assume the losses would have averaged less than 10 per cent, of what actually occurred, and property to the value of something over £333,000 saved from destruction. Surely such authentic records are a reliable guarantee that installation of auto-protection secures an almost certain immunity from heavy loss by fire. After all the publicity given to this subject, as representing the business section of the community, and as such in a position to more readily realize the extent to which this continuous huge waste of property is affecting the financial conditions of the country, it is certainly surprising that one or more of the numerous chambers of commerce established in New Zealand have not made some practical move in remedy of this regrettable state of affairs. Enactments making installations of auto-protection compulsory in certain classes of buildings, or else placing restrictions on the size of buildings not so protected, are in operation ill different parts of the world. In America twelve of the United States have a State law in that relation, and 139 cities and towns have locally enacted by-laws in the same relation ; and in Canada an Act empowers the Dominion Fire Commissioner to enforce recommendations made for the auto-protection of property. In Australia, Melbourne by-laws impose restrictions on the size of buildings not so protected ; in Sydney, State regulations under the Buildings Act require auto-protection in certain specified classes of buildings. For protection of life, elimination of the too-often-disastrous late call, and as a very appreciable step in reduction of the prevailing excessive fire waste —seeing, too, that- insurance premium rebates go a long way towards defraying interest on this cost of installation—City and Borough Councils might well follow the examples set out above in the making of by-laws relative to autoprotection. The indifference of the public generally, and of the business section of the community in particular, in New Zealand regarding a matter which so seriously affects the economic conditions of the country is remarkable in comparison with the practical interest displayed by the public and the action taken for reduction of their fire waste in other countries where the annual per capita loss is lower —in some cases very much below that prevailing in this Dominion. As examples, national fire-prevention Ordinances have been proclaimed in the United States of America by the President, in Canada by the Governor-General, and in Italy by the Premier. A State Fire Prevention Bureau has been established in France, and in Germany the President has issued a mandate for the setting-up of a Fire-prevention Commission (both the latter within the last twelve months). In Great Britain a Royal Commission on Fire Brigades and Fire-prevention issued a voluminous report in 1923.

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Comparison with the fire loss in Australia would be interesting, but no collective figures of the losses in that country are available. Of the 3,046 fire calls received throughout the. year, 637 proved to be false alarms, and of that number no less than 339 are reported as of malicious origin. Every turn-out of a fire brigade is a matter of expense, but, what matters more, they are also a potential danger to life and limb—more so to-day than before in view of the ever-increasing motor traffic. The steady increase in the number of malicious false alarms is a most serious matter, endangering as they do the lives of both civilians and fire-brigademen. Although no fatal accident has occurred to civilians during recent years, two fire-brigade officers have been killed, a,nd quite a number of firemen more or less seriously injured, whilst proceeding in response to malicious false alarms. It is a most difficult matter to detect the offenders, and I have to again call attention to the very inadequate penalties that (with three or four exceptions) have been inflicted upon conviction—mostly fines ranging from a few shillings to two or three pounds. A case in point: A young man, a member of a fire brigade too, who pleaded that the particular alarm then in question was accidentally given, but admitted having given a previous false alarm for a joke, was ordered to pay £2 brigade expenses. Of necessity travelling faster than the ordinary traffic, but only when proceeding in response to a fire call, fire-engines do not travel at the high rate of speed generally attributed to them —an illusion due to the howling of the siren, the shining helmets of the firemen, the rattle and rather dazzling appearance of the engine and its equipment, and perhaps a little to the excitement usual upon such occasions. Giving evidence in a Court case some little time ago, witnesses' estimated the speed at which the engine was travelling at the time varied from forty-five up to sixty miles per hour. Now, although the fire-motor in question, fitted with a powerful engine, was actually, as per specifications, geared down to a maximum speed of thirty-five miles per hour on the level, and perhaps was not even doing that speed. Appended are brief reports dealing with each fire district [not printed], also the following tables :— 1. Summary of calls attended by each brigade. 2. Fire loss in each district. 3. Annual cost of each brigade. 4. Summary of the causes of fire in each district. 5. Personnel and equipment of each brigade. I have, &c., Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. The Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs.

DISTRICT REPORTS. Auckland. Inspections, 19th June, 1928, and 29th January, 1929. The several stations with their equipment were found in proper order, and the turnout in each case was carried out in a smart and efficient manner. The Tamaki Road Board district, being now incorporated in the city, becomes part of the Auckland Fire District; also, the Board has undertaken protection of the One Tree Hill district. The additions to the Remuera district fire-station have been completed, and plans prepared for erection of a fire-station for protection of the Avondale district. Specially prepared slabs are now being let into the footpath-kerbs as fire-hydrant indicators, in place of the present unsightly splashes of whitewash. Plant additions during the year include a new 40-45 horse-power motor fire-engine and a continuous foam-generator outfit for dealing with oil fires. Balclutha. Inspection, 6th December, 1928. Two officers and seven firemen were present at the inspection muster. In comparison with my previous inspection there was a very satisfactory improvement in the carrying-out of the required inspection drills, and the station and equipment was in good order. Attendance at the two fire calls averaged 62 per cent, of the total membership. I found quite a number of the street fire-hydrants completely covered with loose road metal and some of the indicators missing, a matter requiring prompt attention ; also, the motor-hose tender was not fitted with a siren, as required by the Regulations under the Motor-vehicles Act. Christchukch. Inspection, 29th October, 1928. The inspection drill at the central station and the turnout at the several substations were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the stations and their equipment were found in their usual good order. A continuous foam-generator set has been added to the equipment of the brigade, and five more auto-detector fire-alarm systems have been installed in Christchurch.

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Dannevirke. Inspection, 16t,1i January, 1929. Superintendent, deputy, fourteen firemen, and two messengers in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at the twelve general alarms averaged 80 per cent, of the total membership, a good record. A recommendation was made to the Board that conditions now called for the appointment of a permanent member of the brigade. Dargaville. Inspection, 10th October, 1929. Two officers and eight firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at the twelve fire calls averaged 74-2 per cent, of the total membership—a fair record. The motor fire-engine required fitting with a siren in accordance with the regulations of the Motor-vehicles Act; also, formation of a Volunteer Fire Police Corps was again advocated. Dunedin. Inspection, Bth December, 1928. The inspection drill at the central station, as also the turnout at the two district stations, were carried out in a smart and efficient manner. All stations and their equipment were found in proper order. A further run on the Roslyn motor served to confirm my previously expressed opinion that it is too heavy and slow in the " pick-up " to give efficient service in that particular district; it should be replaced with a lighter and faster machine. The street firehydrant indicators are in a bad state, particularly so in Princes Street—indistinct, out of line, and altogether missing in some places. This is a matter that should receive attention. Plans for the proposed new central station, to replace the present old congested building, have been prepared and submitted for approval. Eltham. Inspection, 26th September, 1928. The full strength of the brigade—two officers and fifteen firemen —were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order and condition. Attention of the Board was again called to the necessity for providing additional living-accommodation at the fire-station. Feilding. Inspection, 10th April, 1928. Two officers and thirteen firemen were present at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order and condition. The attendance at nine general alarms averaged 81 per cent, of the total strength—a good record. Several recommendations in respect to the brigade equipment were made to and adopted by the Board. Foxton. Inspection, 7th February, 1929. Two officers and thirteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at the eight fire calls averaged 68-8 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade. Certain members of the brigade were in need of uniform. Gisborne. Inspection, 7th November, 1928. Two officers; twenty firemen, and two cadets were present at the inspection parade. A contingent of the Volunteer Fire Police Corps was also in attendance. The inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at thirty-one general alarms averaged 85-2 per cent, of the total membership —a good record. Recommendations were made to the Board in regard to provision of fire-foam extincteurs and to the fitting of a siren on the Denby motor. Greymouth. Inspection, 25th October, 1928, when two officers and seventeen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The required inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the stations and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at the nine general alarms averaged 93-5 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a very good record. In my report to the Board attention was called to the continued inadequacy of the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes, in particular applying to the limited extent of the reticulation and inadequate volume owing to the small diameter of the mains in general. Hamilton. Inspection, 20th November, 1928. The full strength of the brigade, two officers and twentytwo firemen, was present at the inspection parade. A contingent of the Volunteer Fire Police Corps was also in attendance. The required inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and all equipnent were found in first-class order. Attendance at the twenty general alarms averaged 87-5 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a very good record. I had again to call attention to the necessity of erecting a substation for protection of the Frankton portion of the fire district. In February last the Hamilton ratepayers approved of a loan for improvement of the water-supply, and completion of the scheme set out will place the town on a much more satisfactory footing in regard to fire-prevention.

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Hastings. Inspection, 18th September, 1928. Two officers, seventeen firemen, and two messengers were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and all equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the twenty-five general alarms averaged 74*5 per cent, of the total membership—a fair record. Certain recommendations were made in regard to future drill and practice. The additions and alterations to the central station will prove quite a factor in improving the all-round working efficiency of the brigade. Three additional call-boxes have been installed on the street fire-alarm system. Hawbka. Inspection, 24th September, 1928. The full strength of the brigade, two officers and sixteen firemen, were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and all equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the thirty-five general alarms averaged 82 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade a good record. Attention was again called to the advisability of acquiring additional land adjoining the present fire-station. An electrically driven siren has been installed in place of the firebell. llikurangi. Inspection, 9th October. Two officers and thirteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. Hikurangi is a newly constituted fire district, and at the time of my inspection equipment of the brigade had not been completed. Certain inspection drills were carried out in a manner satisfactory under the circumstances. An address and practical instruction it) (ire matters generally were given, and a number of necessary recommendations made to the Fire Board. Hokitika. Inspection, 26th October, 1928. Two officers and twenty-three firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The required inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the central and hose-reel stations with their several equipments were found in good order and condition. In my report to the Board installation of mechanical apparatus for ringing the firebell, or preferably installation of an electrically operated siren in direct connection with the Telephone Exchange, was advocated ; also that motor transport for men and appliances should now be provided. Invercargill. Inspection, sth December, 1928. Two officers and eighteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and all equipment were found in first-class order. A new 55 horse-power motor combination fire-engine, fitted with a 65 ft. escape, &c., has been purchased and placed in commission. In regard to the water-supply, the scraping and cleaning of the reticulation is proving very effective, and will increase efficiency of the supply from 50 to 75 per cent., but the necessity of laying down larger distributing-mains, so to obtain an adequate flow and pressure throughout the whole of the reticulation, still remains. Kaiapoi. An inspection of the Kaiapoi fire district, fire-station, and equipment was made on the 29th October, 1928, when both station and equipment were found in good order and condition. Attendance at the seven general alarms averaged 70 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a fair record. There is no water-supply system installed in the Kaiapoi Borough, and to obtain water for fireextinction purposes the brigade pump from the river with their motor fire-pump. For years past in my various reports attention of the Fire Board has been called to the necessity for the construction of sumps in certain parts of the town, to enable dealing with outbreaks of fire in properties situated at a distance from the river, but up to the time of my last visit none had been constructed, although I understand one was shortly to be sunk in the Main North Road. Levin. Inspection, sth February, 1929. Two officers and fourteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The station and equipment were found in good order and condition. Attendance at the four general alarms averaged 77-6 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade —a fair record. The inspection drills were not carried out to the same degree of efficiency that obtained on previous occasions, and certain recommendations were made to the Board in that respect. Masterton. Inspection, 15th January, 1929. Two officers and seventeen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the fifteen general alarms averaged 76-5 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a fair record. The Board have decided to purchase a site for erection of a new central fire-station.

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Milton. Inspection, 4th December, 1928. One officer and seven men were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. I had again to call attention to the unsatisfactory conditions of the watersupply for fire-extinction purposes, more particularly in that the supply, such as it is, is shut off at 8.30 p.m. every night, and in case of fire it would be ten minutes or more before any water at all is available, and in that respect very dangerous conditions exist in the town. Also, the motor hosetender was not fitted with a siren, as required under the Regulations of the Motor-vehicles Act. Mount Roskill. Inspection, 24th January, 1929. Two officers and twelve firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The various inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the seventeen general alarms averaged 40-6 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade —a low average. Various recommendations were made, and formation of a Volunteer Fire Police Corps advocated. In view of local conditions the services of such a corps, organized on the lines explained at the time of my visit, would prove of great assistance to the brigade. Napier. Inspection, sth November, 1928. Two officers and twenty firemen were on parade at the central station, and two officers and seven firemen at the Port station. The required inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, particularly so by the Port section of the brigade. Both stations, with their equipment, were found in first-class order. Certain recommendations were made in regard to some minor matters requiring attention. New Plymouth. Inspection, 25th September, 1928. Two officers and nineteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the twenty-four general alarms averaged 75 per cent, of the full membership of the brigade —a fair record. Attention was called to the necessity of providing alternate means of summoning the brigade in case of a breakdown of the borough electric supply ; also, provision of a workshop and storeroom at the central station was again mentioned. Oamaru. Inspection, 30th October, 1928. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment was found in good order and condition. Attendance at the twenty-two fire calls averaged 72 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade —a fair record. Ohakune. Inspection, 23rd January, 1929. Owing to delay by the secretary of the Board in notifying the brigade, only two officers and three firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The 36 ft. ladder recently purchased is unsuitable to a dangerous degree for fire-brigade work at fires. The brake-shoe on the near side of the trailer pump was broken in half, consequently the machine was without brake control at that time. The motor hose-tender was not fitted with a siren, as required by the Motor-vehicles Act. The front doors of the engine-shed require attention, and the old motor steam fire-engine housed at the Junction, useless in its present condition, should be put in working order, or sold for what it will fetch. Onehunga. Inspection, 12th October, 1928. Two officers and fifteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the thirty-five general alarms averaged 68-3 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade. A recommendation was made as to the advisability, for reasons set out in my report to the Board, of purchasing a second and lighter motor hose-and-ladder tender ; also, attention was called to the paucity of street-lighting in the vicinity of the central fire-station. Otaki. Inspection, 13th February, 1929. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner. The station and equipment were found in good order, but the vacant part of the section had a very neglected appearance; as pertaining to a fire-station it should be maintained in better order. Certain recommendations were made to the Board in regard to minor equipment.

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Pahiattta. Inspection, I.4th January, 1929. Two officers and twelve firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. There was a decided improvement in the carrying-out of the required inspection drills, and the station and equipment were found in good order. I had again to call attention to the very inadequate water-supply for fire-extinction purposes, and if there is 110 prospect of immediate imjirovement in both volume and pressure, I recommended provision of a pumping outfit. Also, the motor hose-tender was not fitted with a siren, as required by Regulations under the Motor-vehicles Act. Palmerston North. Inspection, 12t,h March, 1929. Two officers and nineteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found to be in first-class order. Again attention was called to the increasing inadequacy of the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes in Palmerston North, which has now assumed a most serious aspect. Examination of the brigade log-book shows that at times the pressure between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. fell as low as 18 lb. and under, whilst for many days the pressure during the said twelve hours averaged only 35 lb. or less ; and it is apparent that if during such period an outbreak of fire got anything of a start in one of the larger risks disastrous consequences must be anticipated. Petone. Inspection, 19th February, 1929. Two officers and fourteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in the customary efficient manner, and the station and equipment was found in first-class order. Attendance at the thirty-five general alarms averaged 73 per cent, of the total membership—a fair record. Attention was again called, to the serious conditions of the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes in Petone. At 8.30 p.m. on the evening of the inspection the pressure on the station gauge stood at 42 lb. ; the telephone signal was given to start booster pumping, but in four minutes and a half the standing pressure had risen only 6 lb. ; half a minute later the gauge registered 51 lb., which was the maximum pressure reached. Altogether, with the small diameter of a larger portion of the reticulating-mains, the water-supply conditions in Petone have reached a dangerous stage. Port Chalmers. Inspection, 7th December, 1928. The Superintendent and ten firemen were present at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. Attendance at the three fire calls averaged only 49 per cent, of the total membership. The engine of the motor hose-tender is not powerful enough for fire purposes in such a hilly district; in any case the machine has been in service for eight years, and is past effective work ; also, the machine is not fitted with a siren, as required by the Regulations under the Motor-vehicles Act. I noted that several of the street hydrants were completely hidden in the grass ; this is a matter requiring prompt attention. Pukekohe. Inspection, 14th June, 1928. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the equipment was found in good order. The full strength of the brigade was in attendance at the three fire calls —an excellent record. The newly installed electric siren should be connected by direct wire to the Telephone Exchange. The Fire Board is now negotiating a loan for erection of a new fire-station to replace the present dilapidated old building. A poll for a waterworks extension loan has been carried by the ratepayers, and the proposed scheme will materially improve the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes. Rotorua. Inspection, 23rd November, 1928. Two officers and seventeen firemen, were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment was in first-class order. Attendance at the twenty-nine fire calls averaged 74-2 per cent, of the total membership—a fair record. In view of future necessity for erection of a more commodious central fire station, the Fire Board have acquired a site in Amokau Street. The new site is well situated, and otherwise suitable for the purpose. Taumarunui. Inspection, 24th January, 1929. Two officers and twelve firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. Attendance at the thirteen fire calls avera.ged 87'2 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade —a good record.

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9

Tauranga. Inspection, 21st November, 1928, when at the inspection muster the full strength of the brigade— two officers and thirteen firemen —were in attendance. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and satisfactory manner, and the equipment was found in good order. Attendance at the nine firealarms averaged 88-1 per cent, of the total membership —a very good record. Recommended the fire-alarm siren be connected by direct wire to the Telephone Exchange. A number of the street firehydrant indicators were not in place, a matter requiring prompt attention. Te Aroha. An inspection of the brigade was made, as previously reported, on the 13th June, 1928, and an inspection of the district and the brigade equipment made on the 21st November, 1928, when (subject to the comments contained in my report to the Board in regard to the motor hose-tender) the station and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at the ten fire calls averaged 894 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a very good record. Te Awamutu. Inspection, 26th November, 1928. Two officers and eight firemen were present at the inspection muster —not a good attendance. The inspection drills were carried out smartly and in a satisfactory manner —a good all-round improvement in that respect. The equipment was in good order. Attendance at the three fire calls averaged 68 per cent, of the total membership —an improvement on the attendance for the previous year, but still below the general average. Recommendations were made in regard to installation of an electric fire-alarm system connected by direct wire with the Telephone Exchange. Timabtt. Inspection, 31st October, 1928. Two officers and twenty-one firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the twenty-two general alarms averaged 82 per cent, of the total membership —a good record. A house has been purchased to serve as a residence for the Superintendent of the Brigade ; also, two cottages as married quarters for firemen have been erected on a section adjoining the central station site. A recommendation was made that the Board acquire a site for erection of a substation for protection of the property situated in the Highfield district. Waihi. Inspection, 22nd November, 1928. Owing to a dispute then pending between the Fire Board and the brigade, but since settled in a satisfactory manner, only two officers and four firemen were present at the inspection muster. Attendance at the twenty-four general alarms averaged 72 per cent, of the total membership —a fair record. The motor fire-engine was taken for a test run, during the course of which it was apparent the engine is not now equal to the work it is called upon to perform ; also, attention of the Board was called to the defective lay-out of the street fire-alarm circuits. Waipukurau. Inspection, 17th September, 1928. The full strength of the brigade, two officers and fifteen firemen, were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and energetic manner, but more instruction and practice in certain drills is necessary. The station and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at the twelve general alarms averaged 75 per cent, of the total membership —a fair record. Recommendations were made to the Board in regard to provision of minor equipment. Wairoa. Inspection, 6th November, 1928. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner very creditable to this comparatively recently organized brigade, and the station and equipment were in first-class order. Attendance at the six general alarms averaged 71 per cent, of the total membership— a fair record. The street hydrant-indicators are of too small a pattern and are otherwise unsatisfactory ; this and other minor matters were dealt with in my report to the Board. Waitara. A surprise visit to the Waitara Fire District was made on the 26th September, 1928. The station and equipment generally was not in the good order usually maintained by the volunteer brigade under Fire Board control. The two branches in the motor hose-box are dented to the extent of affecting efficiency of the fire-jets. They require straightening or replacing by branches in better order. Attendance at the three fire calls averaged 75 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a fair record. Wanganui. Inspection, 6th February, 1929. Two officers and nineteen firemen were present at the central station inspection parade. A contingent of the Volunteer Fire Police Corps was also in attendance. A call was sent to the Castlecliff substation, in response to which the motor with one officer and five men had a delivery to work at the central station within eight minutes—a good piece of work. The required inspection drills were carried out in the usual smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in first-class order. Attention of the Board was again called to the wisdom of providing additional married quarters at the central station.

2—H. 12.

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Wellington. Inspection, 12th July, 1928. All stations, appliances, and other equipment were found in order. There has been a large expenditure on Capital Account in the Wellington Fire District, principally due to erection of two new substations —one in the Miramar district, having two sets of married quarters, &c. ; the other in Brooklyn, with three sets of married quarters, &c. Major additions to equipment included two 40-45 horse-power motor combination machines fitted with 300/350 g.p.m. turbine pumps, firstaid pumping outfit, ladder, &c. ; also, two commercial chassis have been purchased, and bodies built thereon locally, to serve as hose-and-ladder tenders. Westport. Inspection, 24th October, 1928. Superintendent and eighteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in an active and willing manner, but more instruction and drill are necessary. Attendance at the fourteen fire calls averaged 86-2 per cent, of the total membership —a good record. A 14-28 horse-power motor-chassis was purchased, and a welldesigned body built thereon by a local firm. A recommendation was made that an electrically operated fire-alarm be installed directly connected with the Telephone Exchange. Whangarei. Inspection, Bth October, 1928. Two officers and fourteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The required inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order and condition. Attendance at the eleven general fire calls averaged 80-1 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade —a good record. Formation of a Volunteer Fire Police Corps was recommended in my report to the Board.

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TABLES. 1. Summary of Fire Calls, 1928-29.

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11

District Fires. ! C^ imne y j «"dRubS A f alse : * ' Totals. 4 ires. Fires Alarms. District. ' | Auckland .. .. .. 251 21 127 101 19 519 Balclutha .. .. .. 1 1 .. .. .. 2 Christchurch .. .. 146 15 31 95 34 321 Dannevirke .. . . . . 8 2 1 1 . . 12 Dargaville .. . . . . 10 1 1 .. . . 12 Dunedin .. .. . . 160 124 80 122 3 489 Eltham .. .. .. 6 .. .. .. .. 6 Feilding .. .. .. 9 .. 2 .. .. 11 Foxton .. .. .. 4 .. 2 .. 2 8 Gisborne .. .. 23 3 3 5 4 38 Greymouth .. .. .. 8 1 .. 2 .. 11 Hamilton .. .. 24 9 22 3 7 65 Hastings .. .. 18 5 3 5 2 33 Hawera .. .. 19 12 9 6 3 49 Hikurangi .. . . .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 Hokitika .. .. .. 10 ,, 3 1 .. 14 Invercargill . . .. .. 50 16 11 10 1 88 Kaiapoi .. .. .. 8 .. .. .. .. 8 Kaitangata . . .. .. 2 .. .. .. .. 2 Lawrence .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Levin .. .. .. 4 2 .. .. .. 6 Masterton .. .. 17 2 3 2 .. 24 Milton .. .. .. .. 1 1 .. .. 2 Mount Roskill .. ..12 3 5 2 .. 22 Napier .. .. 31 2 4 14 1 52 New Plymouth .. 24 .. 1 2 .. 27 Oamaru .. .. .. 9 5 4 3 1 22 Ohakune . . . . . . 3 3 4 .. .. 10 Onehunga . . . . 16 2 6 13 2 39 Opotiki Otaki .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 Pahiatua .. .. .. 1 .. 1 .. .. 2 Palmerston North . . .. 53 14 23 33 4 127 Petone .. .. ..25 .. 3 10 .. 38 Port Chalmers . . . . 3 .. 1 .. .. 4 Pukekohe .. .. .. 2 1 .. .. .. 3 Rotorua .. .. .. 7 8 9 4 2 30 Taumarunui.. .. .. 11 1 1 .. .. 13 Tauranga . . . . .. 7 .. 3 .. .. 10 Te Aroha . . . . .. 7 .. 3 .. .. 10 Te Awamutu .. .. 3 .. .. .. .. 3 Timaru .. .. 15 14 13 4 3 49 Waihi .. .. ..13 .. 13 3 .. 29 Waipukurau .... 6 1 3 2 1 13 Wairoa .. .. .. 6 .. .. I 1 7 Waitara .. . . . . 1 .. 2 .... 3 Wanganui . . .. .. 50 18 76 13 1 158 Wellington . . . . . . 241 65 132 179 i 4 621 Westport .. .. .. 14 .. .. .. .. 14 Whangarei . . . . 10 2 3 1 1 17 Totals .. ..1,350 354 609 637 | 96 3,046

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2. Summary of Fire Losses, 1928-29.

3. Cost of Fire Brigades (Capital Expenditure included). As taken from the Estimates for the respective Years.

12

District. Insured. Uninsured. Totals. District. Insured. Uninsured, j Totals. Auckland .. .. 70,283 4,675 74,958 Oamaru .. .. 19,762 4,116 23,878 Balclutha .. .. 31 .. 31 Ohakune .. .. 1,114 415 1,529 Christchurch .. 37,368 1,798 39,166 Onehunga .. .. 2,169 310 2,479 Dannevirke .. 1,674 353 2,027 Opotiki Dargaville ... .. 3,625 1,110 4,735 Otaki .. .. 1,050 400 1,450 Dunedin .. .. 41,464 1,311 42,775 Pahiatua .. .. 8 22 30 Eltham .. .. 1,030 60 1,090 Palmerston North .. 7,348 887 8,235 Feilding .. .. 2,146 155 2,301 Petone .. .. 3,635 1,435 5,070 Foxton .. .. 4,495 2,335 6,830 Port Chalmers .. 405 1,205 1,610 Gisborne .. .. 4,473 259 4,732 Pukekohe .. .. 29 .. 29 Greymouth.. .. 21,271 10,903 32,174 Rotorua .. .. 2,095 225 2,320 Hamilton .. .. 4,335 1,432 5,767 Taumarunui .. 976 226 1,202 Hastings .. .. 19,467 5,037 24,504 Tauranga .. .. 3,941 1,133 5,074 Hawera .. .. 11,725 151 11,876 Te Aroha .. .. 880 490 1,370 Hikurangi .. .. 80 .. 80 Te Awamutu .. 990 570 1,560 Hokitika' .. .. 3,862 2,515 6,377 Timaru .. .. 9,167 127 9,294 Invercargill.. .. 11,717 1,380 13,097 Waihi .. .. 4,992 678 5,670 K aiapoi .. .. 3,202 1,109 4,311 Waipukurau .. 152 45 197 Kaitangata.. .. 460 490 950 Wairoa .. .. 4,975 1,128 6,103 Lawrence .. .. .. .. .. Waitara .. .. 520 170 690 Levin .. .. 8,075 1,670 9,745 Wanganui .. .. 12,574 1,145 13,719 Masterton .. .. 1,980 270 2,250 Wellington .. .. 235,865 58,205 294,070 Milton .. .. .. .. .. Westport .. .. 5,730 1,244 6,974 Mount Roskill .. 4,235 53 4,288 Whangarei .. . . 1,040 151 1,191 Napier .. .. 13,938 3,200 17,138 New Plymouth .. 5,060 590 5,650 Totals .. 595,413 115,183 710,596

n . t ., i Year ending Year ending Year ending Year ending Year ending | Year ending District. 30th June, 1924. 30th June, 1925. 30th June, 1920. 30th June, 1927. M°rch 1928 1929 1930 £££££££ Auckland .. 16,700 18,400 20,000 21,000 15,000 23,000 22,000 Balclutha .. 400 500 500 500 425 450 320 Christchurch .. 12,100 13,000 13,000 12,000 9,000 12,000 13,850 Dannevirke .. 739 620 614 636 662 792 775 Dargaville .. 816 600 675 675 450 674 530 Dunedin .. 13,500 13,500 15,500 15,500 11,625 15,700 15,700 Eltham .. .. . . 750 600 500 437 350 648 Feilding .. 623 554 639 528 843 776 782 Foxton .. .. 397 626 594 467 388 465 487 Gisborne .. 2,188 2,200 2,462 3,104 3,346 2,393 2,200 Greymouth .. 948 949 1,005 1,483 1,250 1,025 1,000 Hamilton .. 2,650 2,800 2,930 2,650 1,906 2,725 2,925 Hastings .. 1,012 1,206 1,120 1,330 1,490 1,400 1,708 Hawera .. 713 1,241 1,302 1,320 956 1,349 1,275 Hikurangi .. .. .. .. .. .. 511 223 Hokitika .. 570 480 550 500 512 583 580 Invereargill .. 10,300 3,200 4,300 4,755 4,331 5,448 5,342 Kaiapoi .. 947 1,279 663 636 535 683 704 Kaitangata .. 175 290 230 186 161 270 157 Lawrence . . 90 100 90 100 75 100 100 Levin .. .. 799 803 586 617 600 730 701 Masterton .. 1,946 1,649 1,790 1,728 1,298 1,771 1,872 Milton .. .. 240 340 200 178 100 200 200 Mount Boskill .. .. .. .. .. 1,264 1,300 1,209 Napier .. .. 2,886 3,522 3,852 3,730 3,335 4,094 4,196 New Plymouth .. 1,965 1,953 2,076 1,960 1,642 1,887 2,085 Oamaru .. 800 950 1,050 1,250 1,300 1,300 1,455 Ohakune .. 348 420 537 474 500 550 450 Onehunga .. .. .. .. 1,670 1,334 1,655 1,783 Opotiki .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 990 Otaki .. .. .. .. 325 399 416 275 314 Pahiatua .. .. .. .. 590 320 333 383 Palmerston North 2,143 2,224 4,502 4,298 3,269 4,128 4,270 Petone .. .. 1,450 1,394 1,484 1,591 1,227 1,929 1,945 Port Chalmers .. 310 269 252 214 220 212 212 Pukekohe ... .. .. .. 330 745 882 447 Rotorua.. .. 1,328 1,356 958 1,000 890 1,293 1,117 Taumarunui .. 650 445 530 500 414 592 640 Tauranga .. 499 559 509 659 588 953 640 Te Aroha .. 573 621 778 833 680 680 635 Te Awamutu .. .. .. .. .. 420 570 500 Timaru .. .. 1,850 2,250 2,050 2,350 2,400 1 3,000 2,700 Waihi .. .. 822 651 837 583 622 734 731 Waipukurau .. .. .. .. .. 495 320 330 Wairoa .. .. .. .. .. .. 491 467 678 Waitara .. 120 220 234 263 198 237 228 Wanganui .. 4,450 7,050 7,400 8,150 6,000 8,000 8,300 Wellington .. .. .. .. 18,715 25,400 26,400 30,400 Westport .. .. 550 630 570 500 500 800 Whangarei .. 1,000 1,016 1,018 890 800 1,130 1,462 Totals .. 89,052 90,541 98,372 121,412 110,476 136,816 142,979

13

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4. Summary of Causes of Fires, 1928-29.

Summary of Causes. | | J | | | £ \ g g • g | f | | g | | 1 J J § f J | J | g J | g | |S , | | g | ; | f | g | | g j I | J | | •g © .2 g gp ' £ £ 2 -S .§ >? S "£ i £ J* 3 « .2 £ £ •§ ® 3 § &> S ii © o •* 2 2 o -e S o g <3 <5 a I '3 •§ =§13 =3 1 - S 3 "rt ,C e3 c3 S — "o O -2 £ ®3 c3 j c3 O at !u si 3 £ a s3 .fl ,3 +2 "S O © 83 c3 © ® ofifi!QjHps,p 4 c!j?!>WW|wWMiMMM^ H qaa' - H _ . _ , . __ Ashes, live .. .. .. ; 4 1 2 .. .. 9 lj X .. .. 2 .... ..I .. 1 ..! 1 2 1 1 .. 1 1 4 .. .. 32 Benzine —proximity to light .. 4 .. 5 .... 5 1 .. .. 2 .. 2 .. 1 .. .. 1 1 .. .. 3 2 .. .. 1 ... . I 1 .. 1 1 3 16 .... j 50 Candles —drapery, &c., in contact 4 .. 2 1 .. 1 j 1 j j 1 5 .. .. 15 Clothes— -airing before fire 2 1 1 2 1 j ' ..j .. 1 6 .. 1 15 Defective chimneys, hearths .. 2 .. 7 .. 2 17 .. 2 .. 1 1 1 3 1 2 ...... 22.... 1 1 18 .... 62 Defective hot-water services 1 .. .. 1 1 1 ! .. .. 1 .. .. 5 Electricity — Short circuits, fusing .. .. 49.. 2 .... 6 1 1 i 2 1 2.. 1 1 1 .. .. 5.. .. 72 Domestic irons, heaters, &c. .. 3.. 12.. .. 4 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. ..j 1 .. j j .. .. 1 2 1.. 2 1 2 7 1; 1 41 Fireworks, sparks from .. 2 .. j 1 .. | 1 1 j | j j .. 4 Gas-explosions, defective fittings .. •• 1 .. .. 7 1 1 .. 1 j 11 Gas rings, stoves .. .. | 5 .. 1.. .. 4 , 2 .... 2 .. .. I .. .. 1 .. 2 .. 1 .. 2 2 4 .. j *.. j 26 Incendiarism, or suspected .. j 4 .. 10 .. 1 2 1 .. 1 1 .. 1; 2 .. ..I .. .. 3 4 .. .. .. 3 2 .. .. .. ., 4 .. 1 40 Kerosene heaters, incubators .. I 3 .. 1 1 1 .. .. .. ..[ .. 1 2 j .. .. .. .. 1 ! 10 Matches — Children with .. .. 3.. 5.. .. 4.. 1 .. 1 1 j 1 .. ..j 1 .. I 3 2.. 1 22 Thrown down alight .. .. i 1 •• 10.. .. 2 1 1 .. 2 lj 1 .. ..j 1 1 .. 1 1 .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 79.. . .j 103 Rats .. .. 1 .. .. 1 1 .. | | 1 4 Miscellaneous causes .. .. 7 .. 8.. .. 6 1.. 3 1 2 ........ 1.. .. 1 2 .... 2 4 1.. .. 1 l| ...... 2.. 1.. .. 1 12 .. .. 57 Motors —back-firing, short circuits ; 19 .. 6 .. .. 12 1 .. .. 1 .. 1 '.. 3 .. .. .. 4 1 1 .. .. 3 1 3 i 2 3 .. .. 61 Naked lights .. .. .. j 1 | .. .. lj 1 j 3 Picture films .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 .. 1 j j i 5 .. .. 8 0 v erheating — Beeswax, fats, &c. .. ..I 5 .. 7 .. .. 8 T 1 .. .. 1 •• 1 | 2 1 1 7 .. .. 34 Machinery, exhaust pipes .. j 4 .. 2 ! .. I ! I j .. I I 1 7 Tar .. .. .. 9 .. 2 1 .. 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 .. .. 1 1 1 3 .. .. 27 Wood, proximity to furnaces .. 2 3 ! .. j .. .. j j • 2 .. .. 7 Painters burning off paint .. 4 .. 3 .. .. 5 1 .. .. 1 2 .. ..! .. j .. 2 j j | 3 .. .. 20 Smoking .. .. .. 4.. 5.. .. 2 2 1 1 2.. .. 16 Cigarette-butts .. •• 6 .. 12 2 1 .. . .1 [ 5 .. .. .. 2 .. .. 4 j 4 1 1 1 13 .. ..I 52 Sparks — I | From chimneys .. •. 2.. 3 1.. 2 1 1.. ..1 1.. .. 1 ; 7 .... 20 From copper-fires .. .. 7 .. 6.. .. 6 .... 4 lj 1 .. .. .. ■■ 1 .. li.. 1 2.. 1 2 1.. 1 1.. 1.. .. 2 5.. 1 45 From locomotives .. •• j 9 1 1 li j 1 1 j 1 14 From fireplaces, furnaces ..5.. 5.. 1 2 1.. .. .. 1 1 4 ..! . ■ I ■ • 1 1.. .. 2 ' 5 .. .. 1.. 1 ! 512.... 47 From other fires .. .... • - 3 .. .. 4 1 j ] 5 .. .. 13 Spontaneous combustion • • I 4 .. 5 .. .. 1 ] . ! j .. .... li j 1 3 2 .. .. 19 Unknown causes .. .. I 81 .. 16 3 6 39 3 6 4 8 3 5! 10 6 .. 6 12 5] 2 | .. 2 2 .. 6 13 15 4 2 2 .... 1 20 17 1 .. 2 5 3 3 1 7 13 2 6 1 19 9 13 4 388 Totals .. .. 251 1 146 8 10160 6 9 4 23 8 24 is! 19 1 101 50 8 2 .. 4 17 ..! 12 3li 241 9 3 16 .. 1 li 53 25 3 2 7 11 7 7 3| 15 13 ! 6 6 1 50241j 14 101,350 ' I II 1 ' 1 I ! __j I i 1 ■ ; !

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14

5. Summary.-Personal, Plant, and Appliances.

I Auckland. Balclufcha. Christcliurch. Dannevirke. Dargavilie. Dunedin, : Eltham. I Feiidiug. Foxton. Gisborne. Greymouth Hamilton. Brigades, total strength of .... 86 13 46 21 20 52 17 21 16 25 20 24. Fire-stations — ..... Residential .... .. 7 1 4 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 Non-residential ...... .. 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 1 .. .. 3 1 Fire-alarms — Circuits (C), boxes (B) .. .. 35 (C), 299 (B) .. 21 (C), 168 (B) 2 (C), 16 (B) .. 15 (C), 187 (B) .. . . .. 4 (C), 59 (B) .. 4 (€), 42 (B) Automatic, private .. .. 75 .. 58 .. .. 40 .. .. .. .. .. 6 Telephones (points) .... 22 3 8 2 4 7 3 3 4 4 2 2 Motors — Hose-and-ladder tenders (h.p.) .. 5 (40) 1 (22) .. 1 (40) 1 (20) 1 (38) 1 (22) 1 (20) 1 (20) 1 (30) .. 1 (20) First-aid, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. 3 (65, 50, 38) ... 3 (40, 30, 25) .. .. 1 (70), 3 (60) .. .. .. 1 (50) 1 (20) Pump, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. 1 (110) .. 2 (70,30) ... .. .. .. .. 2 (36) Trailers .. 1(60) First-aid, pump, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) 2 (50, 50) .. 3 (50) .. .. 2 (90, 45) .. 1 (30) .. .. 1 (30) 1 (45) General utility .. .. .. 2 (25, 20) ... 1 (20) .. .. 1 (20) Petrol-electric, ladders (height) .. 1 (87') .. 1 (85') .. .. 1 (85) .. .. Fire-engines, steam (g.p.m.) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 (400) Hose-carts, reels (hand-drawn) .... 1 2 2 1 .. 2 2 .. 1 5 2 Ladders — Motor-traction (height) .. .. 1 (65') • • 1 (65') .. .. 1 (80') I .. .. .. .. .. 1 (50') Extension (height! (on motors*) .. 2 (22')*, 3 (35')* 1(24')* 1 (45')*, 3 (35')*, 1(35')* 1(35')* 2 (20'), 4 (30')* 1 1(34')* 1 (30')*, 1 (30') 1(26')* 2(35')* 1 (35')*, 1 (27)' 2 (35'*, 30') 2 (20' j* Single, coupling (total height) .. 12 (18' to 22') 3(57') 16(160') 4(82') 2(25') 1(25') 3(61') 1(23') .. 5(80') 5(98') 3(32') Jumjiing-sheets ...... 5 •• 3 .. .. 1 •• .. .. 1 1 1 Smoke jackets (J), helmets (H), masks 2 (J), 4 (H), ■ ■ 1 (J), 3 (H), 4 (H) .. 1 (J), 2 (H), 2 (H) 4 (M) 1 (H) 1 (H) .. 1 (M) (M) 10 (M) 1 (M) 4 (M) Hand-pumps ......5 1 8 2 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 Hand chemical extincteurs .... 12 2 10 2 .. 9 2 2 2 4 2 3 Portable standpipes —. Ratchet valves ...... 21 ■ ■ 1 .. 1 12 1 .. .. .. .. 2 Double heads ........ 3 19 8 2 7 3 6 3 7 9 2 Single heads ...... 8 • • 1 .. 2 1 • • .. .. 4 1 6 Hose — Rubber-lined (diameter) .. .. 1,144' (2f") .. 3.000' (2f") 100' (2§") .. 150' (2J") .. .. .. .. .. 500' (2f") Unlined (diameter) .. .. 11,895' (2f") 1,600' (2J") 15,380' (2f") 3,800' (2±") 1,000' (2|"> 15,550' (2J") 2,500' (2§") 2,600' 1,200' (2J") 3,500' (2J") 3,000' (2J") 4,500' (21") Rubber, first-aid (diameter) .. 1,260' (J") .. 800' (§") .. .. 700' (§") ■ • 180' (f") .. 180' (J"-) 120' (f") 120' (J") Water-supply (P = pumping; G = P and G G P and G G G G G G P and G G P and. G P and G gravitation) Pressure, average, noon-midnight .. 40-120 65-70 96-105 80-85 85-95 80-130 j 75-90 85-110 53-120 86-112 55-95 45-50

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15

5. Summary.-Personal, Plant, and Appliances-continued.

—- — Hastings. Ilawera. Hikurangi. Ilokitika. Invcrcargill. Kaiapoi. Kaitangata. , Lawrence. Levin. Masterton. Milton. J Mt. Roskill. Napier. Plymouth | i | • | I • I Brigades, total strength of .. .. 22 17 15 ! 30 23 12 12 j 12 17 20 12 18 37 24 Fire-stations — Residential ...... 1 1 I .. 1 1 .. I 1 1 1 1 2 1 Non-residential .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 .. .. 1 1 .. .. .. .. 1 Fire-alarms — Circuits (C), boxes (B) .. .. 4 (C), 41 (B) 2 (C), 20 (B) .. .. 4 (C), 36 (B) .. .. .. 1 (C), 6 (B) 6(C), 16(B) .. .. 3 (C), 29 (B) 2 (C), 29 (B) Automatic, private .. .. .. 1 .. .. 9 .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Telephones (points) ......3 2 .. 7 2 ! .. .. 3 2 2 1 7 3 Motors — Hose-and-ladder tenders (h.p.) .. .. 1 (35) .. .. 1 (35) .. .. .. 1 (22) .. 1 (20) .. .. 2 (20, 30) First-aid, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. 2 (25, 35) .. .. .. .1 (60) 1 (22) 1 (22) .. .. 1 (25) .. .. 1 (35) Pump, hose-and-ladder (b.p.) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. j .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 (65) First-aid, pump, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. 1(35) .. 2 (65) .. .. .. ... 1 (45) .. 1 (30) 2 (65,40) General utility .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 (20) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. I (20) Petrol-electric ladders (height) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. j Fire-engines, steam (g.p.m.) .. .. . . .. .. 1 (380) .. 1 (300) .. .. .. .. 1 (chemical) Hose-carts, reels (hand-drawn) ..1 2 1 5 .. 1 2 2 1 2 1 .. 2 1 Ladders — Motor-traction (height) Extension (height) (on motors*) .. 2 (35', 25')* 2(35')* 1(36') 1(28') 3 (60', 35', 30')* 1(30')* 1(20') .. 1(26')* 2 (30', 35')* 1(16')* 1(30')* 3 (60', 35', 35')* 2 (50', 35')* Single, coupling (total height) .. 3(40') 7(121') .. 4(71') 1(30') 3(24') .. 2(49') 4(40') 5(65') 1(25') 2(26') 10(261') 3(46') Jumping-sheets .. .. .. 2 .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. 2 1 Smoke jackets (J), helmets (H), masks 3 (H) 1 (H) .. .. 2 'H) 3 (H) .. .. 2 (H) I 2 (H) .. 3 (M) 8 (H) 2 (H) (M) ' j Hand-pumps ...... 2 2 .. 2 3 1 4 1 1 1 1 .. 2 2 Hand chemical extincteurs ....4 2 .. .. 8 2 .. 2 2 3 3 2 8 9 Portable standpipes — Ratchet valves .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. . .■ .. .. 1 1 2 2 .. .. I Double heads ...... 5 3 2 5 2 .. .. 1 1 3 .. 3 12 6 Single heads ...... .. 2 2 3 8 .. .. 2 3 .. .. 2 I Hose — Rubber-lined (diameter) .. .. 300' (2£*) .. .. 200' (2|") .. .. .. .. .. 50' (2J") .. .. 300' (2|") 200' (2J") Unlined (diameter) .. ... 2,700' (2£") 3,300' (2£") 1,500' (21") 2,500' (2f") 6,500' (2f") 3,000' (2f") 1,600' (2f") 1,000' (2J") 1,600' (2J") 2,400' (2J") 1,900' (2|") 2,000' (2|") 9,700' (2J") 4,000' (2£") Rubber, first-aid (diameter) .. 240' (f") 180' (f") .. .. 180' (f") .. 120' (1") .. .. 120' (f) 100' (f") 120' (f") 360' (f") 200' (J") Water - supply (P = pumping; G = P and G P and G G G P and G River and G G G G P G P and G G gravitation) sumps (partial) Pressure, average, noon-midnight .. 125-135 30-73 40-80 100-105 45 .. 70 65-80 75-100 80-85 52 50-70 65-139 100-140 ; ' ' ' I

H.—l2.

16

5. Summary.-Personel, Plant, and Appliances-continued.

Oamaru. ! Ohakune. Onehunga. j Opotiki. Otaki. Pahiatua. t '^Vortlf 01 ' Petone. Chalmers Pukekohe. Rotorua. | Taumarunui. Tauranga. I II I i | ; I j ' ; I Brigades, total strength of .... 17 14 18 12 J 16 16 25 18 15 14 19 18 i 16 Fire-stations — Residential ...... 1 1 1 .. 1 1 2 1 .. 1 1 11 Non-residential ...... 1 .. .. 1 .. .. .. 2 .. 1 1 1 Fire-alarms — Circuits (C), boxes (B) .. .. .. 2 (C), 34 (B) .. .. .. 5 (C), 50 (B) 1 (C), 20 (B) .. .. 3 (C), 24 (B) .. 1 (C), 8 (B) Automatic, private .... .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 1 .. .. .. Telephones (points) ...... 5 2 1 1 1 1 2 3 .. 3 2 4 2 Motors — Hose-and-ladder tenders (h.p.) .. .. 1 (20) .. 1 1(20) 1 (20) 1 (25) 1 (30) .. 1 (20) 1 (50). 2 (20, 18) : First-aid, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. 1 (40) .. 1 (40) .. ! .. .. , .. .. 1 (22) .. .. .. 1 (23) Pump, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. .. 1 (30) Trailer .. . . . j 1 (60) First-aid, pump, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) 1 (45) .. . . .. .. j 1 (35) 1 (36) .. .. 1 (35) General utility .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. j Petrol-electric ladders (height) Fire-engines, steam (g.p.m.) .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. j Hose-carts, reels (band-drawn) 1 .. 1 1 1 1 2 1 2,1 2 2 2 Ladders — Motor-traction (height) .. .. • ■ •. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... Extension (height) (on motors*) .. 2 (30', 35')* 1(36')* 1(35')* 1(35')* 1(26')* 1(24')* 3 (60', 30', 22')* 1(35') 1(26')* j 1(28')* 2(35')* 2 (26', 30')* 1(34')* Single, coupling (total height) .. 2(38') 2(32') 4(78') 1(25') 2(24') 2(40') 10(116') 5(43') 1(20') 1(25') 3(61') 3(45') 3(36') J umping-sheets .. .. ■■ •• 1 .. .. 1 1 1 Smoke jackets (J), helmets (H), masks 1 (H) .. 2 (H), 6 (M) .. .. .. 1(H) 1 (H) .. .. 1 (H) 1 (H) (M) ! Hand-pumps ...... 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 Hand chemical extincteurs .... 1 2 3 2 -1 1 1 5 .. 2 4 4 Portable standpipes — Ratchet valves ...... 1 .. .. .. 2 .. 1 .. 1 1 1 Double heads ...... 5 .. 4 3 .. 4 5 2 2 2 2 4 4 Single heads ...... 2 1 .. .. .. .. 3 5 .. .. 5 .. 1 Hose — Rubber-lined (diameter) .. .. .. .. 100' (2J") • • • • .. .. 300' (2J") .. .. 350' (2J") Unlined (diameter) .. .. 2,900' (2J") 1,400' (2§") 3,000' (2J") 1,000' (2}') 1,800' (2J") 1,550' (2£") 5,000' (2J") 4,000' (2J") 1,300' (2J-") 1,500' (2J") 1,500' (2J") 1,800' (2J-") 2,000' (2J») Rubber, first-aid (diameter) .. 180' (f") .. 240' (f") .. .. .. 120' (f") 120' (f") 140' (1") .. 160' (J") .. 120' (J") Water - supply (P = pumping; G = G Creeks and P and G P G G G P and G G G G G G gravitation) races Pressure, average, noon-midnight .. 90-100 .. 100-110 140 110-135 60-65 Uncertain 40-65 110-150 85-100 60-64 100-125 i 70-80 _ ' J I • 1

H.—l2.

17

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinnek, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1929.

5. Summary.-Personnel, Plant, and Appliances-continued.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (650 copies), £25 10s.

Price 9d.~\

-—— Te Aroha. Te Awamutu. ! Timaru. Wailii. j "Waipukurau. Wairoa. Waitara, | Wanganui. "Wellington. Westport. | Whangarei. Totals. | ! ! ' , I f i Brigades, total strength of .. .. 16 15 24 15 16 17 16 29 ; 78 21 19 1,115 Fire-stations — Residential ......1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 5 1 1 64 Non-residential .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. .. 3 -. .. 26 Circuits (C), boxes (B) .. .. 2 (C), 3 (B) .. 6 (C), 28 (B) 4 (C), 14 (B) 1 (C), 5 (B) .. .. 9 (C), 88 (B) 18(C), 120(B) .. 2(B) 157 (C), 1,344 (B) Automatic, Drivate .. .. I .. I 2 1 .. .. .. 22 74 .. .. 293 Telephones (points) 4 | 2 | • 3 7 2 1 1 j 3 8 4 4 152 Motors — Hose-and-ladder tenders (h.p.) .. 1 (20) ! 1 (20) .. 1 (20) 1 (20) 1 (20) 1 (20) 2 (60-20) 5 (23-35) 2 (35, 28) 1 (22) 46 First-aid, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. I . • • • .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 (45) 24 Pnmp, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. .. i .. 1 (60) .. .. . . .. .. 1 (70) .. .. 10 First-aid, pump, hose-and-ladder (h.p.) .. j .. 1 (45) .. .. .. .. 3 (60,40,40) 3(35,40,45) .. .. 28 General utility .. .. .. .. I .. 1 (20) .. .. .. .. 1 (20) 1 (20) . . .. 9 Petrol-electric ladders (height) .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 1 (85) .. .. 4 Fire-engines, steam (g.p.m.) .. .. .. j .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 (650) .. .. 5 Hose-carts, reels (hand-drawn) 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 .. 4 3 1 73 Ladders — Motor-traction (height) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 (60) .. . . 5 Extension (height), (on motors*) .. 2 (35',* 34') 1 (35')* 2 (60', 35')* 1 (30')* 1 (30') 1 (35')* 1 (24')* 4 (60', 35', 9 (on motors) 2 (28')* 1 (30')* 94 35', 30')* Single, coupling (total height) .. 2(30') 2(26') 7(165') 3(68') 3(50') .. 1(30') 5(76') 14(145') 2(47') 2(75') 180 Jumping-sheets ...... .. .. 1 . . .... .. 3 2 .. .. j 29 Smoke jackets (J), helmets (H), masks .. .. 2 (H) .. 2 (H) ! 3 (H) .. 2 (H) 1 (J), 2 (H), 3 (H) 2 fH> 6 (J), 63 (H), 30 (M) (M) ' 1 (M) Hand-pumps 1 ] 1 2 1 2 1 1 4 16 1 1 101 Hand chemical extincteurs ....2 2 6 .. 2 3 2 j 9 21 2 2 172 Portable standpipes — Ratchet valves ...... 1 1 4 .. .. .. 3 i 7 .. 2 2 72 Double heads ...... 2 1 4 5 3 3 3 6 17 5 3 201 Single heads ........ 1 .. .. 1 1 .. 2 22 4 1 95 Hose — Rubber-lined (diameter) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 680'(2i") 4,570' (2f") .. .. 8,714' (2f"), 3,230' (2-J-") Unlined (diameter) .. .. 1,800' (2$") 2,000' (2J") 3,000' (2|") 2,000' (2J") 1,200' (2|") 2,200' (2J») 1,900' (2i") 15,450 (2J") 11,850' (2f"), 2,700 (2J") 2,500' (2J") 51,125' (2f''), 142,800' 5,850' (2J") " (2J") Rubber, first-aid (diameter) .. .. .. 120' (f") .. .. .. .. 480' (J") 460' (J") .. 120' (|") 260' (1"), 6,980' (j") Water - supply (P = pumping ; G = G G G G G G G GIG G G gravitation) Pressure, average, noon-midnight .. 100-130 60-100 70-75 80-100 50-60 100-105 100-120 100-140 I 120-135 90-120 120-150