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H.—f)A

Napier. Inspection, 14th January, 1925. At the inspection musters at the central and Port stations a total of three officers and thirty firemen were present —a very satisfactory parade. There was a decided improvement in the carrying-out of the inspection drills and in the bearing of the brigadesmen in general, but more instruction and drill are necessary in certain directions. The street fire hydrant-indicators were in an unsatisfactory. condition in certain localities. A contract has been let for installation of a street fire-alarm system. New Plymouth. Inspection, 23rd September, 1924. At the inspection muster two officers and twenty-one firemen were in attendance. The station and equipment were in good order. The attendance at the twenty-three fire calls averaged 75 per cent, of the membership—a fair average, and proving that the recently adopted system of calling the firemen by means of a bell circuit is working in a satisfactory manner. The motor-pump was got to work, and it is satisfactory to note that overheating of the exhaustpipe, as also the slow starting of the engine, have been remedied. Instruction was given in the recently standardized squad drill, and practice therein carried out. A new 35 ft. trussed extension fire-ladder has been acquired, and it has been decided to adopt the Morris instantaneous couplings in place of the present V-pattern coupling. Oamaru. Inspection, 11th March, 1925. There was an attendance of one officer and ten firemen at the inspection muster. There was a decided improvement in the carrying-out of the inspection drills, and the station and equipment in general were in good order. Attendance at the thirteen fire calls averaged 60-2 per cent, of the membership —only three-fifths of the total strength, a poor attendance. The street hydrants had not been fixed on the North Road main, nor had any improvement been made in regard to the hydrant-indicators, and neglect in these matters seriously affects the protection from fire of the adjacent buildings. The present fire-motor has always been more or less unsatisfactory, and is becoming more so. The large number of new buildings now in course of erection, and the increasing fire risks in the town, call for more adequate protection than there is at present, and in that view I again recommend provision of a new fire-motor and installation of a street fire-alarm system. Ohakune. Inspection, sth May, 1925. Two officers and ten firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. There was a great improvement in regard to fire-prevention matters since my previous inspection, and the present members, both officers and men, are showing an active interest in the work. The recently acquired motor trailer-pump was got to work with satisfactory results, but the suction-hose requires covering with a canvas jacket to prevent chafing, and a further 500 ft. of new hose is required. It was intended to sell the motor steam fire-engine. To do so would, for various reasons, be a great mistake. It is well and suitably housed at the Junction, costs practically nothing for maintenance, and its sale would not realize any large sum. Otaki. Otaki was constituted a fire district on the 2nd February, 1925 ; the first meeting of the Board was held on the 18th May, and the first inspection made on the 16th June, 1925. The large area of the borough, with its comparatively small population ; the business Section situated practically in the .centre, with smaller settlements at each of the four cardinal points, and having long stretches of unbuilt-upon land intervening, make it a difficult problem to formulate, at a reasonable cost in the first instance, any comprehensively efficient scheme for the whole of the borough, and the Board should commence by covering the business section, and in such a way that will provide some degree of protection to the other portions of the borough. Water-supply : Subject to the foregoing remarks, I consider the water-supply has been well planned and carried out, and the proposed extensions will add considerably to the efficiency of the system, but street-hydrants should be interspaced between those already in place in the business portion of Mill Road. Brigade : Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. They appear to be an active, willing body of men, of good physique ; and if the various drills, as explained and illustrated at the time of my visit, are regularly and consistently carried out they should soon attain a reasonable degree of efficiency. Fire-station : A building of much larger dimensions than the present hose-reel shed is required. The pencil sketch of a proposed new station is well and economically designed, and quite equal to requirements for some years to come. New station-site : The proposed new site in Mill Road is very centrally situated, and suitable for all time, and the price is most reasonable. Fire-alarm : The efficiency of the present hand-operated fire-alarm siren is considerably nullified by the enclosing louvres and wire netting, and which should be removed ; later some mechanical means, either water-power or electricity, should be installed to operate the siren. Equipment generally : A better means of transporting men and appliances is absolutely necessary, and I recommend purchase of a motor-chassis, and a suitable body built thereon. The provision of other equipment, such as hose, nozzles, hand-pumps, &c., as set out in detail in my report to the Board, is necessary.