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Foxton. Inspection, 24th March, 1925, when, at the inspection muster, there were present the Superintendent and nine firemen. In view of there being only 600 ft. of serviceable hose available, I deemed it inadvisable to require any wet drill, but instruction in various phases of squad dry drill was given. The motor was in good order, 4 but the station premises were not in the cleanly and orderly condition usual in fire-brigade stations. There was an average attendance of 78-9 per cent, of the membership at the ten fire calls —a fair average. There were several matters requiring prompt attention —viz., purchase of ferules to enable the 500 ft. of new hose to be put in commission ; new hose required for the chemical extincteur. A number of the street fire-hydrants are not in effective order. The stock of fire-hose is not sufficient: an order should be placed for another 500 ft. Gisbobne. Inspection, 16th January, 1925. At the inspection muster there were present two officers, eighteen firemen, and three cadets. The inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. The attendance at the twenty-four fire calls averaged 89-3 per cent, of the membership —a very good average. At a meeting of the Board the same evening I pointed out that fire-prevention conditions in Gisborne were not satisfactory, and that of recent years very little had been done to improve matters in that direction. I stated that the more urgent requirements were —purchase of motor pumping plant, installation of street fire-alarms, and provision of a 50 ft. fire-ladder and a jumping-sheet. Since then an order has been placed for the supply of two trailer motor-pumps, and a tender has been accepted for the installation of a street fire-alarm system. Greymouth. Inspection, 9th December, 1924. Two officers and sixteen firemen were present at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in the usual satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order and condition. At the nineteen fire calls 90-2 per cent, of the membership attended —a very good average. A number of new buildings have been erected along and in the vicinity of Marsden, and in view of the poor water-supply for fire-extinction purposes in that neighbourhood a new 6 in. main should be laid there. A new fire-engine shed and meeting-room for the brigade has been erected to serve the Blaketown section of the district. Hamilton. Inspection, 21st May, 1925. The full strength of the brigade was in attendance at the inspection muster, and the inspection drills were carried out in a very efficient manner. The station and equipment were found in thorough good order and condition, There was an attendance of 80-9 per cent, of the membership at each of the thirty-nine general alarms —a good average. In view of the rapid growth of the town, both as to building and extension of area, I have again pointed out to the Board the necessity for purchasing additional land adjoining the central fire-station, and also the necessity of establishing a substation to protect the Frankton section of the district. Hastings. Inspection, 23rd April, 1925. Two officers, seventeen firemen, and two messengers were in attendance at this inspection muster. The various inspection drills were carried out in an energetic and efficient manner, and the station and equipment was in first-class order. There was an attendance at thirteen general alarms of 70-2 per cent, of the membership —a fair average. A large number of new buildings have been erected in Hastings during the last two or three years, some, in the business section of the town, of fairly large cubical capacity; and, in view of disastrous possibilities due to the absence of efficient means of promptly summoning the brigade, it is quite time the Board installed a system of street fire-alarms. Haweba. Inspection, 22nd September, 1924. Two officers and fifteen men were in attendance at the inspection muster. The various inspection drills were carried out in a fairly satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. There has been an average attendance of 80-1 per cent, of the membership at the fifteen general alarms —a good average. The Board has decided to call tenders for the supply of a motor pumping unit, and also for the installation of a street fire-alarm system. Hokitika. Inspection, 10th December, 1924. Two officers and eighteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster, and the inspection drills were carried out in a very satisfactory manner. The steam fire-engine was taken to the wharf, and proved to be in good working-order ; also, the stations and equipment were found in their usual good order and condition. There was an attendance of 80 per cent, of the membership at the six fire calls —a good average.