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During the year a street fire-alarm system, consisting of two circuits having twenty call-boxes thereon, was installed and placed in commission on the 22nd February last. Improvements have been made in the water-supply which will materially increase the efficiency of the service for fire-extinction purposes. Hokitika. Inspection, 3rd December, 1925. Two officers and seventeen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. Certain inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, instruction was given in the standardized four-men squad drill, and formation of a Volunteer Fire Police Corps was recommended. Attendance at the thirteen fire calls averaged 87 per cent, of the total membership — a good record. A serious feature of the year's work is the number of fires attributed to incendiarism : no less than six out of the total of twelve fires are reported as due to that cause. Invercargill. Inspection, Bth March, 1926. The inspection drills were carried out smartly and in an efficient manner. With the exception of some trouble with the exhauster pump when testing for vacuum and which was rectified later, the plant and appliances were in proper working-order. The numerical strength of the brigade was still too low, but this is to be. rectified when the new station is completed. The water-supply for fire-extinction purposes is much improved since my previous inspection. The escape-ladder is old-fashioned and too unwieldy for present-day usage. A more modern type of fire-ladder is required. A new Central Fire Station is in course of erection, and should be ready for occupation shortly. A Volunteer Fire Police Corps should be inaugurated. Kaiapoi. Inspection, 12th May, 1926. One officer and seven firemen were present at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a creditable manner, and the station and appliances were in good order. Attendance at the nine fire calls averaged 95-5 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—an excellent record. The brigade is numerically weak, and the membership should be increased as soon as possible. The river-sumps, from which water for fire-extinction purposes is principally drawn, were in a more or less ineffective condition. A strainer should be fixed on each of the sump suction-pipe outfits. Both matters call for prompt attention. Kaitangata. Inspection, 9th March, 1926. Two officers and five firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the men are being drilled on proper lines, but the brigade is numerically weak. Only one fire, causing very slight damage, occurred during the year. Lawrence. Inspection, 11th March, 1926. One officer and seven firemen in attendance at the inspection muster. Instruction was given, and practice in the standardized squad drill was carried out. Some minor matters requiring attention were pointed out, also provision of a motor hose-tender was recommended. Levin. Inspection, 26th April, 1926. At the inspection muster two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and there is a decided improvement in that respect. The station and equipment were in good order. The attendance at the seven general alarms averaged 75 per cent, of the total membership—a fair average. Masterton. Inspection, 13th April, 1926. At the inspection muster two.officers and sixteen firemen were on parade. The various inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and there is a decided improvement in that respect. The station and equipment were in good order. Attendance at the nineteen general alarms averaged 89 per cent, of the total strength—a very good record. Attention was called to some minor matters requiring rectification. During the year a number of new water-mains have been laid, with a corresponding improvement in the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes. Milton . Inspection, 12th March, 1926. At the inspection muster two officers and ten firemen were on parade. The inspection drills were carried out satisfactorily. There is a steady improvement in efficiency, and the station and equipment are maintained in good order. The stock of fire-hose is too low : 500 ft. of new hose is required. Several minor matters required attention.

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