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The insured fire loss throughout the Dominion for the twelve months ended 31st December, 1924, amounted to £1,073,337. The proportion of insured loss throughout the fire districts for the corresponding twelve months amounted to £406,337. The fire waste throughout the Dominion for the same period is estimated at £1,234,338, or 17s. 2d. per capita of the population as estimated to the Ist April, 1925. The returns show that only nine new installations of automatic fire-alarms have been installed during the year. After all that has been preached and published throughout the Dominion in regard to the well-authenticated efficiency of certain sprinkler and automatic fire-alarm systems as safeguards against serious fire losses, it is surprising that more owners of properties such as the larger emporiums, factories, mills, &c., do not install one or other of the systems in their premises, and this is one illustration of the general apathy displayed towards the huge fire waste obtaining in New Zealand. When giving evidence before the Royal Commission on Fire-prevention, sitting in London, published in 1923, the manager of the Associated Fire Alarms Company submitted the following records : The value of property protected by the company's alarms rose steadily in ten years from twenty-nine millions in 1911 to forty-eight millions in 1920 ; total premiums received for the ten years, £1,615,914 ; total fire damage for the ten years, £42,272 ; percentage of fire damage to premiums, 2-6 per cent. —this as against a fire damage of 51 per cent, of the premiums received on property not protected by automatic alarms, a result shown by the records of twelve of the leading British insurance companies for the last ten years. It is a close-up certainty that had the building in which the fire broke out in Auckland in November last been fitted with automatic alarms the loss, instead of running into over £50,000, would not have exceeded £400 or £500 at the outside. In addition to the visible loss when large fires occur, the ensuing dislocation of business also proves a serious consideration in very many cases. As pointed out in previous reports, in addition to an almost complete immunity from serious loss provided by installations of automatic sprinklers and alarms when properly maintained, the insurance companies allow a large rebate of premium where property is so protected. In face of published results the rebate might well be larger, but, even so, it is sufficient in cases to cover, or nearly cover, the interest on the capital cost of installation. Any way, the installation of automatic sprinklers or alarms is a good, sound business proposition, and it is quite time that owners of large properties should realize that fact and act accordingly. In this last connection I would point out there is more than one system of fire-alarm invented and in great part manufactured in New Zealand, that, in my judgment at least, is quite equal in efficiency to anything on the market. Appended are the following tables : — (1.) Summary of calls attended by each brigade ; (2.) Fire loss in each district; (3.) Annual cost of each brigade ; (4.) Summary of the causes of fires in each district; (5.) Personnel and equipment of each brigade ; also short detailed reports dealing with each fire district. I have, &c., Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. The Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs, Wellington.

DETAILED REPORTS. Auckland. Inspection, 26th January, 1925. The turnouts at the various stations were performed smartly, and the equipment was found in good order. The smart, athletic appearance of the brigade personnel is worthy of comment. A strip of land adjoining the headquarters station has been purchased for the purpose of partial reconstruction and extension of the workshops section of the building ; also, two circuits having nine call-points thereon have been added to the street fire-alarm system of the city. The more urgent matters now calling for the attention of the Board are (1) increase of the permanent staff, (2) erection of married quarters at the Remuera Station. At the instigation of their Superintendent the Auckland Fire Board has introduced an innovation in the fire service of New Zealand in the appointment of a special officer whose duty it is to visit all business and other premises for the purpose of supervising private installation of fire-appliances and of advising property-owners in matters of fire-prevention generally. This is a step in the right direction, and should be productive of tangible results. Balclutha. Inspection, 10th February, 1925. One officer and nine firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out energetically, but more instruction and drill is necessary. The station and equipment were in good order. The attendance at the four fire calls averaged 52-14 per cent, of the membership —a poor attendance. A supply of new hose is required, also a new stand-pipe : further, the Board should provide a motor machine for the transport of men and equipment.