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and that is not a sufficient number to attend in response to an alarm from the neighbourhood of the larger buildings of block risks, and arrangements should be made to have more men available for answer to those particular calls. The stations and equipment are maintained in good order and condition. I have again to call attention to the need of more accommodation at all stations, and to the expediency of married men being placed in charge of substations. A chemical and hose motor-car from the Central Station has been placed at the St. Albans substation. A 16-horse-power second-hand chassis was purchased, the body built locally to suit requirements, and the machine placed at the Sydenham Substation; but it has not given altogether satisfactory results. The 70-horse-power Dennis-Gwynne petrol fire motor, fitted with pump capable of throwing 450 gallons of water per minute, ordered by the Fire Board some time ago, was delivered in Christchurch in June. It has been put through a series of severe trials, and has given entire satisfaction, the turbine pump in particular giving most satisfactory results. A tender for the installation of a more modern system of street fire-alarms than those at present in use has been accepted, and the alarms are now in course of erection; also a better method of marking the position of the fire hydrants is being introduced. During the year ending 30th June, 1910, 86 fires have occurred in the Christchurch Fire District, as compared with 76 for the previous year, an increase of 10. The loss by fire amounted to £23,486, as against £12,902, an increase of £10,584. The estimated cost of the brigade for the year 1910-11 is £6,849, as against £7,547 for 1909-10, a decrease of £698.

DANNEVIRKE. An inspection of the Dannevirke Fire Brigade and its equipment was held on the 19th August, 1909; present —Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and 15 firemen, or 17 out of a then strength of 21. A second inspection was held at 7.30 p.m. on the 12th April, 1910, when there were present — Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, 16 firemen, and 2 messengers; with 2 on leave; or 22 accounted for out of a total of 24 then on the roll. The attendance at the musters was fairly satisfactory. The work performed at the first inspection was carried out energetically, but the members of the brigade require steadying down, and more exercise in the variorm drills. The station and appliances are maintained in good order and condition. The building of the proposed new station on the site in Allardyce Street, acquired in 1908, has not yet been put in hand, nor'has the bell yet been removed to a more suitable site. Provision should be made for carrying ladders to a fire. A number ef hydrants have been placed on the footpath in the main street, each with a 3 in. set-off pipe from the 8 in. main on the roadway. If it is considered expedient by the borough authorities to place the hydrants in that position, the set-off pipes should not be _less than 4 in. in diameter. There are various reasons for this, and it is particularly necessary in Dannevirke, owing to the considerable corrosion that takes place in the water-pipes there. During the year ending 30th June, 1910, 8 fires have occurred in the Dannevirke Fire District, as against 5 for the previous year, an increase of 3. The loss by fire amounted to £1,184, as compared with £875, an increase of £309. The estimated cost of the brigade for the year 1910-11 is £595 lis .6d., as against £590 ss. 3d. for 1909-10, an increase, of £5 6s. 3d. DUNEDIN. Inspections of the Dunedin Fire Brigade were held on the 27th September, 1909, and the 16th March, 1910. The respective "turn-outs" were accomplished smartly and in quick time. The various drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and good discipline is apparent. The following interim report was forwarded to the Secretary of the Dunedin Fire Board : — Sir,— Office of the Minister of Fire Brigades, Wellington, 31st March, 1910. Following upon my inspection of the Dunedin City Fire Brigade on the 16th instant I beg to make the following recommendations for the consideration of your Board : — The Brigade is numerically weak, consisting as it does at present of 24 members all told. I understand your Board has authorized the addition of 2 permanent and 4 auxiliary firemen : this will give a total strength of 30, but included in that number are 3 drivers and 1 waterman, who presumably are not available for actual fire-work. Then, between the hours of 7.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. the number is still further reduced by the absence of 2 firemen on theatre duty. Again, there is always at least 1 on leave : this, then, leaves, for some hours out of the twentyfour (and including the Superintendent and officers), only 23 available for actual work at a fire. This number is not nearly sufficient to handle a fire of the least magnitude, and means in such a case that the brigade have to rely greatly upon the general public for assistance; and I would suggest, pending the erection of the new Central Station and reorganization of the suburban brigade's, that immediate arrangements should be made whereby members of both or at least one of the suburban brigades, should be available for a city call in case of emergency.