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Oamaru. Inspection, 13th May, 1924. At the inspection muster there was present one officer and ten firemen. The station and equipment were found to be in good order. Practical instruction was given in the recently adopted firemen squad drill. Attendance at the twenty-two fire calls averaged 65-6 per cent, of the membership —a low average, Prompt extension of the water-reticulation in the newly amalgamated, districts of Ncwborough and Meadowbank is necessary. In the meantime, if, as suggested in my report, hydrants are fixed on the mile length of the present main, it will enable the brigade to protect a large number of the buildings in the said districts. More sleeping-accommodation for single firemen at the, central station is necessary, and I noted the, street hydrant-indicators were in the same condition as at the time of my previous visit. Ohakune. Inspection, 4th April, .1924. Only two members of the brigade were in attendance at the, firestation. The boiler of the steam fire-engine was down for repairs, and would be out of commission for another week ; also, I found the motor hose-tender in a neglected-looking condition, and the battery out of action, housed behind other motor-cars in a garage some short distance away from the station. Further, the hose was lying about on the floors of both engine-shed and social room, and the interior of the building was in a most disorderly and neglected condition. Altogether, fireprotection conditions in Ohakune are in a very dangerous state, and call for prompt action on the part of the Fire Board. I have recommended purchase of a trailer motor-pump to be towed by the hose-tender, provided the tender is maintained in proper working-order; also, better provision for protection of the Junction section of the town is necessary. Palmerston North. Inspection, 11th June, 1924. The Superintendent and eighteen firemen were, present at the inspecton muster. As usual, the inspection drills were carried out in a practical and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order and condition. Plans for the proposed new central fire-station have been approved, but erection has not yet been commenced, and very little practically has yet been done in respect to the urgently needed installation of a street fire-alarm system. The fire loss for tho year, £24,806, is much above the, average loss in this district, but one fire accounts for over £12,000 of the total loss. Petone. Inspection, 30th June, 1924. At the inspection muster there were present two officers and fifteen firemen, or seventeen out of a strength of eighteen all told. The inspection drills were carried out in. the efficient manner usual with this brigade, and the station, motors, and other equipment were in first-class order. The returns show the attendance, at twelve fire calls averaged 53 per cent, of the membership —not a good average. A large number of new buildings have been erected of late, and to a degree that calls for an extension of the street fire-alarm system ; four additional boxes should bo installed. Port Chalmers. Inspection, 10th March, 1924. Owing to a rush of shipping, practically all members of the brigade were engaged in night-work, therefore no inspection muster was held. The station and equipment were in good order. The attendance at ten fire calls averaged 52 per cent, of the membership of the brigade —a low average. Improvement of the water service on the upper levels is now in hand. Consequent upon certain information received from the, Chairman of the Board, my previous recommendation in regard to a new fire-station site is held over for the time being. Rotorua. Inspection, 19th November, 1923. The full strength of the brigade was present at the inspection muster. The various inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. The attendance at fire calls averaged 80-2 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade -a good record. A street fire-alarm system, consisting of three circuits having sixteen call-points thereon, has been installed, and was officially declared available for public use on the 19th November. A further addition to the equipment is an English-manufactured 35 ft. extension-ladder. Taumarunui. Inspection, 14th November, 1924. At the inspection muster there were in attendance two officers and thirteen firemen out of a total strength of eighteen. The inspection drills, both wet and dry, were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and there is a. decided improvement in that respect. The attendance at the twelve fire calls averaged 72-2 per cent, of the membership- a, fair record. The station and the equipment, with the, exception of some minor matters requiring attention, were in good order and condition.