5

H.—6a

The inspection is covered by the following report forwarded to the Secretary of the Board :■ — Sir,— 2nd March, 1917. An inspection of the Hamilton Fire Brigade and its equipment was made on the 26th and 27th ultimo, and in that connection I submit the following report for the consideration of your Board :• — The new pump, ladder, and hose motor combination machine was first taken into Hood Street and got to work from the water-mains there. With one delivery and a fin. nozzle a pressure of 1801b. was maintained ; with two deliveries, Jin. and f in. nozzles, the pressure obtained was 1601b. The machine was then taken to the vicinity of the bridge and got to work from the river, when with a suction-lift of 10 ft. water was obtained in twenty seconds, and with one and two deliveries a pressure of 160 lb. and 125 lb. respectively maintained ; very satisfactory results, but the nozzles are too small, and four new nozzles' —viz., one ljin., one and two 1 in.-—with two new branches, should be obtained immediately. I notice there are some departures from the original specifications : (1.) Steel wheels in place of wooden ones. In the matter of the supply of an earlier machine Dennis Bros, strongly recommended the substitution, as a result of recent practical experiences, and so far the later steel wheels have proved satisfactory. (2.) Road clearance 1\ in. instead of 9 in. This is not a serious matter in your case. (3.) No suction-basket strainer supplied. However, as a set-off I consider certain improvements in the machine and extra accessories supplied more than balance the above shortcoming. The electric side-lamps are very small, although giving a good light for their size ; but the acetylene head-lamp certainly takes some time to light, and it would be an advantage to fit a cylinder of " Prestolite " gas in place of the acetylene generator. The 50 ft. extension ladder was fitted up and a demonstration given of the method of working, mounting, and dismounting it from the motor, &c. The hdier proved in good order and satisfactory in every way. Instructions were given in respect to some minor alterations and other matters in connection with the working of the motor combination. A visit was paid to the new central station now nearing completion, and I noticed that several of my recommendations in respect to the fitting-up of the station were not being carried out —certainly a very small matter in each detail, but in all making for the efficiency of the whole. During the course of my inspection various matters came under my notice that point to considerable carelessness in the care of the appliances, and a total disregard of my teaching and advice. For instance, the hand-pump and hose still lying on the floor of the station, and the hose, which should have lasted at least ten years, now useless ; no hand-lamp available, yet one comparatively new lying on the ground with the glass broken, and only requiring a new glass to make it serviceable ; dragging and scraping boots along the new hose when wet to flatten it—-and this last is particularly bad, seeing that at my previous visit I had given some advice as to the care of hose, particularly condemning such action. In view of the costly equipment now being provided the Board should strongly caution the Superintendent and his Deputy that more care of the equipment must be exercised than has been done in the past. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. The new central station is now in occupation. It is of brick construction, contains one set of married quarters, accommodation for single men, large engine-room, social hall, watch-room, and all necessary conveniences. The instalhition of the " remote switchboard " system for the ringing of the main firebell is now in hand. HASTINGS. An inspection of the Hastings Brigade was made on the 7th May. The inspection is covered by the following report forwarded to the Secretary of the Board :■ — Sir,— 11th May, 1917. An inspection of the Hastings Brigade and its equipment was made on the 7th instant, when there were present at the inspection muster the Superintendent, Deputy, and sixteen firemen ; these, with three on duty and one on leave, representing the full strength of the brigade then on the roll. Wet and dry drills with motor and hand hose-reel were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and appliances are in good order. The main fire-alarm bell at the general station was not then in proper working-order, but I understand the work is now in hand. The time has now arrived when a street fire-alarm system should be installed. A large number of new buildings, some of them of considerable cubic area, have been erected in the borough within the last two or three years, and the question of providing the said alarm system should receive the early attention of your Board. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades.