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Otaki. Inspection, Bth March, 1928. Two officers and twelve firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, showing considerable improvement in that respect. The station and equipment, with exception of the fire-alarm siren, were found in good order and condition. Attendance at five general alarms of fire averaged 71-8 per cent, of the total strength—a fair record. In regard to the siren, a more powerful instrument should be installed. Pahiatua. Two officers and eight firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a fairly satisfactory manner, but more drill and instruction is necessary. Attendance at the nine fire calls averaged 76-6 per cent, of t£e total strength —a fair record. The brigade is numerically weak, and the authorized strength should be increased to not less than fourteen all told. As there does not appear to be any immediate prospect of extension of the reticulation or of any other material improvement in the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes, the Board should take into consideration the provision of a pumping outfit. Several minor matters, as pointed out at the time, require attention. Palmerston North. Inspection, 2Lst February, 1928. Two officers and nineteen firemen were on parade at the inspection muster. Owing to water-shortage only dry drill was required, which was carried out in a very smart and efficient manner. The station and equipment were found in their usual good order and condition. Conditions in regard to the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes have assumed a very serious aspect in Palmerston North. At times a pressure of only 15 lb. is registered on the station gauge, and it necessitates the utmost vigilance on the part of both citizens and the fire brigade to prevent outbreaks of fire, which may easily result in most disastrous consequences in such circumstances. Petone. Two officers and sixteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in their customary good order. Attendance at the twelve general alarms averaged 60-8 per cent, of the total membership. A section with a five-roomed cottage thereon adjoining the central-station site has been purchased, and utilized for married quarters. Although attention has been regularly called for years past to the inadequate supply of water for fire-extinction purposes in Petone, no improvement has yet been carried out, and conditions in that respect have become very serious. Port Chalmers. Inspection, 13th January, 1928. Two officers and six firemen were present at the inspection muster —a good attendance in the circumstances. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner. The motor hose-tender was not in good running-order at the time, otherwise the equipment was in good order. The attendance at the eight fire calls averaged 79-1 per cent, of the total membership—a good record. Pukekohe. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the equipment was in good order. Attendance at the eight general alarms averaged 79-6 per cent, of the total strength—a good record. The present station-shed is in a very dilapidated condition, with practically no accommodation for the men. A new site was purchased some eighteen months ago, but so far erection of the proposed new station has not been begun. No improvement has been made in the water reticulation for fireextinction purposes, and this also is a matter that requires attention. Rotorua. Inspection, 13th December, 1927. Two officers and fifteen firemen were on parade at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a very smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in their usual good order and condition. The attendance at the twenty-eight general alarms averaged 72T per cent, of the total membership—a fair record. The time is fast approaching when it will be necessary to provide further residential accommodation at the fire-station, and the Board would be well advised to secure additional land adjoining the section on which the station now stands. Taumarunui. Inspection, 31st January, 1928. Two officers and thirteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order and condition. Attendance at the eleven fire calls averaged 83-5 per cent, of the total strength of the brigade—a good record. An 18 h.p. 25 cwt. English motor-chassis was purchased, a well-designed body built thereon locally, and the machine is giving very satisfactory results. The older motor hose-tender is to be retained for stand-by purposes, &c. Also, a 30 ft. Ajax extension ladder has been added to the equipment. Tauranga. Inspection, 14th December, 1927. One officer and fourteen firemen were in attendance at. the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the equipment was in good order. Attendance at the five fire calls averaged 94-4 per cent, of the total strength—a very good record. A street fire-alarm system consisting of one circuit with eight call-boxes thereon

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