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1911. NEW ZEAL AN D .

FIRE BRIGADES OF THE DOMINION (REPORT ON THE), BY THE INSPECTOR OF FIRE BRIGADES, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th JUNE, 1911.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Com ma nil of His Excellency

The [nspectok of Fire Brigades to the Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs. Sir. — Office of flic. Inspector of Fire Brigades, Wellington. Ist July, 1911. Herewith 1 Lave the honour to lay before you my third annual report, for the year ended 30th June, 1911, relative to the working of the Fire Brigades Act. and including matters in connection therewith. The number of proclaimed fire districts remains the same as for the previous year—viz., Auckland. Christchurch, Dannevirke, Dunedin, Feilding, Gisborne, Greymouth, Hastings, Hawera, Hokitika, Lawrence, Maori Hill, Masterton, Milton. New Plymouth, Oamani. Palmerston North, Petone, and Whangarei—nineteen in all. As in previous years, efforts have been made in several boroughs to have them proclaimed fire districts, but have had to be abandoned owing to conditions imposed by the Act, amongst others being the clause requiring not less than one-third of the ratepayers to exercise their vote, and this was considered to be impracticable. During the past year I have officially inspected the brigades, with their stations and equipments, working under the control of Fire Boards, as follows : — Auckland : December 5, 1910, and May 5, 1911. Christchurch : July 26 and November 21, 1910, and April 5, 1911. Dannevirke : October 11, 1910, and March 27, 1911. Dunedin : September 29, 1910, and February 13, 1911. Feilding : September 12, 1910, and January 12, 1911. Gisborne : October 20, 1910, and March 23', 1911. Greymouth : November 17, 1910, and March 2, 1911. Hastings : October 10. 1910, and March 20, 1911. Hawera : September 6, 1910, and January 11, 1911. Hokitika : November 18, 1910, and March 3 to 9, 1911. Lmvrence : September 27, 1910, and February 10, 1911. Maori Hill: September 28, 1910. and February 14. 1911. Masterton : November 3 and January 30. 1910, and April 11. 1911. Milton : September 26. 1910, and February 9. 1911. New Plymouth : September 7, 1910, and January 10, 1911. Oamaru : September 23. 1910. and February 27, 1911. Palmerston North : August 31, 1910, and February 23, 1911. Petone : November 8, 1910, and April 25, 1911. \Vhangarei|: December 7, 1910, and May 10, 1911. At'thc conclusion of each inspection any faults committed in carrying out the various drills, or any defects used, were pointed out, and a short address on fire-protection subjects was given. At the request of the Wairoa Borough Council, and with the sanction of the Minister of Internal Affairs, a visit was paid to that borough in January last for the purpose of advising the Council on the subject of fire protection : also, in the case of a number of the smaller boroughs who have made application, advice has been given on fire-brigade matters in general,

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