H.— 6a

10

on annual or weekly leave or through sickness, so that the number at call would probably average between 28 and 30, a quite inadequate strength in a city of the size of Dunedin. No action had been taken to provide the urgently needed extra married quarters for firemen, nor had any practical steps been taken in respect to the better protection from fire of property on the harbour frontage. Feilding. Inspection, 7th June, 1921. The inspection drills were carried out in a more efficient manner than at my previous inspection, but there is still room for improvement. The station and equipment was found to be in good order. A very weak point in the equipment is not carrying to fires sufficient lengths of ladder to reach the roof of a two-story building, this owing to the present motor being loaded up to its extreme carrying-capacity, and a more powerful motor is required. Due to the small diameter, and corrosion, of a large proportion of the water-mains, the supply of water for fire-extinction purposes is far from satisfactory, and this is a matter that requires prompt attention. Gisborne. Inspection, 16th May, 1921. There was an attendance of 25 at the inspection muster, and the subsequent drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner ; also, I was present at an actual fire on the night of the 15th, and from my observation consider there is a considerable improvement in the work of the brigade. A hose-reel and its equipment should be stationed in the Te Hapara district and a couple of men residing in the district enrolled in the brigade ; also, some new standard nozzles are required. I had again to call the attention of the Board to the necessity for the installation of a street firealarm system and for the provision of a motor pumping-outfit. Greymouth. Inspection, 15th March, 1921. The full strength of the brigade—viz., Superintendent, Deputy, and 17 firemen—were present at the inspection muster. The various drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment was found to be in good order. The well sunk in Blaketown having proved a success, I recommended a second well be sunk in the vicinity of Poulter's store. A further recommendation is that a system of street fire-alarms be installed. Hamilton. The full strength of the brigade was accounted for at the inspection which took place on the 13th April last. The various drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner. A considerable improvement is manifest in that direction. The gravitation water-supply pressure in Hamilton as available for fire-extinction purposes is very unsatisfactory ; also the reticulation is limited, and there does not seem that much improvement will be made for some time to come, and in that view the necessity for the installation of a street fire-alarm system is the more pressing. Other recommendations are contained in one or other of my reports to the Board. Hastings. Inspection, 24th May, 1921. The full strength of the brigade was present at the inspection muster, and the various drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner. The station and plant was in good order. The present motor has been in continuous service for nearly six years ; it is loaded to its full carrying-capacity, which does not include the carrying of sufficient fire-ladders. A second motor is necessary, and I recommend the purchase of a 1-ton truck chassis, a suitable body to be built thereon. I have again to direct the attention of the Board to the necessity of installing a street fire-alarm system. Hawera. Inspection, Ist November, 1920. There was a full muster of the brigade, and the various drills were carried out in a most satisfactory manner, showing that this brigade lias attained a high degree of efficiency in that respect. The station, plant, and all equipment were found to be in good order and condition. Hokitika. Inspection, 16th March, 1921. Twenty-one members of the brigade were present at the inspection muster. The steam-fire engine was got to work on the wharf, but owing to faulty connections the deliveries were not so efficient as usual. The station and equipment were found to be in their usual good order and condition. Kaitangata. Kaitangata was visited on the 13th January, but although constituted a fire district on the Ist January, 1920, up till then there had been no meeting of the Fire Board. There was no brigade in existence at the time, but a brigade has since been organized, and its first meeting was held on the 18th May last.