5

H.—6a

Greymouth. Inspection, 24th January, 1924. With the exception of one fireman on leave, the total strength of the brigade was in attendance at the inspection muster. The various inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. The returns show an attendance at ten fire calls (attendance, at three others not filled in) of 93-5 per cent, of the membership—a very good record. A 40-gallon one-eyolinder' hand-drawn chemical-engine has been purchased, and a small substation erected in Blaketown to house the, engine. Matters in connection with the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes are still very unsatisfactory. Hamilton. Inspection, 3rd April, 1924. At the, inspection muster there were, present two officers and twentyone firemen, and the station and equipment were in first-class order. The attendance at thirty-one fire calls averaged 83 per cent, of the membership —a good record. A new 40-45 h.p. motor has been added to the equipment of the brigade. The machine is fitted with a 300 350 g.p.m. turbine pump, a 30 ft. extension lire-ladder, and a first-aid pumping outfit with a 30-gallon tank. In the near future it will be necessary to provide more accommodation at the central station, and in that view 1 have recommended purchase of the vacant section adjoining the station-site : also, owing to extension of the, borough boundaries, the establishment of a substation in the Frankton district is now necessary. Hastings. Inspection, 15th April, 1924. At the inspection muster there were present the Superintendent and sixteen firemen. The station and equipment were in good order. Instruction was given in the recently standardized squad drill. An English 40 h.p. chassis was purchased and a body built thereon locally, and it is now in commission. Also, a 35 ft. Ajax extension-ladder has been purchased, but there still remains the question of installing a street fire-alarm system. There was a fair average, attendance of members of the brigade at fires. The fire loss for the year, £3,330, although high, is much below the average of the previous three years. Hawera. Inspection, Bth October, 1923. At the inspection muster there were present two officers and fifteen men out of a total strength of twenty-two. The inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the equipment, with the exception of the street fire-alarm system, was in good order. The fire-alarm system is primitive, and has become quite unreliable. It has served its purpose, and should be replaced by a more modern system. The record of attendance at fire, calls shows a low average, but, as the brigade has recently been partially reorganized and a new Superintendent appointed, it should result in better attendances. Hokitika. Inspection, 25th January, 1924, Two officers and seventeen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The steam-fire-engine and other inspection drills were carried out in the efficient manner customary with this brigade. The stations and equipment were in their usual good order and condition. The attendance at the five fire calls averaged 77 per cent, of the membership—a fair record. Invercargill. Inspection, sth March, 1924. The 30th June last completed the first year of operations under Fire Board control, and as at the time of my inspection the brigade was practically in course of reorganization, no extensive inspection drill was called for, but that performed was carried out in a smart and efficient manner. A new Superintendent has been appointed, and a comprehensive scheme of reorganization is now in hand. A new site, well situated in respect to the present risks and expected future, trend of the town, has been purchased at a reasonable price, and the plans for a proposed new central fire-station have been approved. Instantaneous connections have been fitted in place of the V-thread pattern. A 60 h.p. chassis has been purchased, and a 150 200 g.p.m. turbine pump outfit mounted thereon ; other minor improvements are in hand. Kaiapoi. Inspection, 29th February, 1924, The steam fire-engine was got to work at the Municipal Baths. The engine was well driven and otherwise well handled, but with good coal it took fourteen minutes to raise 100 lb. head of steam. The engine worked well and threw some good jets ; but, as this engine is depended Upon as the, only means of fire-extinction, the elapsing time before any water can be thrown