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EL- 6a

MAORI HILL. Two inspections of Maori Hill Fire Brigade have been held, 28th September, 1909, and 18th March, 1910. There was a good attendance of members of the brigade at both musters. During my last inspection a very decided improvement in carrying out the various drills was evident. The station and appliances are maintained in good order and condition. A street fire-alarm system has been installed, but was not yet in working-order at the time of my last visit. Following are two interim reports forwarded to the Secretary of the Maori Hill Fire Board : — Sir, — Office of the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Wellington, 29th October, 1909. In reply to your letter dated the 19th instant, asking if I have any advice to give in reference to the efficiency of your brigade's equipment, I beg to make the following suggestions : — First, the quantity of hose, 1,750ft., divided between the two stations is not sufficient; there should, not be less than 2,000 ft. of hose always available. Second, a pair of 10 ft. 6 in. coupling-ladders are required for each station. Third, hand-pumps should be supplied, one to each station. Fourth, to obtain as good results as possible from the fire-alarm system you are installing, it should be connected up directly with the big bell by means of a water-wheel or other mechanical means, so that in case of a fire during the day, or at other times when there is no one at the station, the bell will be automatically rung by the person operating the fire-alarm box. Unless this is done it will be found that, on an average, for fourteen hours out of the twenty-four the installation will be of no service, for the simple reason that there will be nobody at the station to attend to the alarm. Fifth, direct communication should be established between the two stations. Sixth, special arrangements for giving the alarm should be made with the management of the paper-mills, in case of a fire breaking out on their premises. At the inspection drill held on the 28th September last it was apparent that the brigade required more drill, mainly for the purpose of steadying them down at-their work, as most of the faults or errors were due to overeagerness rather than to the want of knowledge of what was actually required. I have, ifec, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. g IK Office of Inspector of Fire Brigades, Wellington, 2nd April, 1910. Following upon my inspection of your brigade, I beg to inform you that the stock of hose in the district, 1,100 ft., is not sufficient. All the hose is carried on the reels —viz., 650 ft. in the South Ward and 450 ft. at Woodhaugh. At least another 500 ft. should be procured and kept in reserve—say, 300 ft. at the South Ward Station, and the remaining 200 ft. at the Woodhaugh Station. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. During the year ending 30th June, 1910, 4 fires have occurred in the Maori Hill Fire District, as against 1 for the previous year, an increase of 3. The loss by fire amounted to £526, as against £550, a decrease of £24. The estimated cost of the brigade for the year 1910-11 is £255, as compared with £381 for 1909-10, a decrease of £126.

MASTERTON. An inspection of the Masterton Fire Brigade and Fire Police Corps was held at 8 p.m. on the 25th October, 1909. Brigade: Present—Superintendent, Deputy, and 19 firemen; and 1 on leave: all accounted for. Fire Police: Present —Captain, 2 lieutenants, and 10 constables; 3 on leave and 1 sick : leaving 2 unaccounted-for. The second inspection was held at 8 p.m. on the 11th February, 1910. Brigade: Present — Superintendent, Deputy, and 12 firemen; 3on leave, and 1 sick: or, 18 accountedfor out of a total of 20 then on the roll. Fire Police: Present —Captain, 1 lieutenant, and 7 constables; 2 on leave : or, 11 accounted for out of a then strength of 15 all told. The attendance of members of the brigade at the inspection musters and drills was very good, but the attendance of Fire Police, particularly at the last inspection, was not very satisfactory. The various drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner. Good discipline appears to be maintained. The plant and appliances of both brigade and Fire Police is in good order and condition. The Fire Board having purchased a site with a frontage to Queen Street, competitive plans for a new Central Station were called for. One of the designs sent in was, after some minor modification, accepted, and the work put in hand. The fire-engine has been fitted with a new firebox, and is now in good working-order. No tender has yet been accepted for the proposed street fire-alarm installation. The brigade has not yet been provided with hand-pumps, and the Fire Police require more suitable ropes for their street-work.

3_H. 6a