H.—l2.

9

Tauranga. Inspection, 21st November, 1928, when at the inspection muster the full strength of the brigade— two officers and thirteen firemen —were in attendance. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and satisfactory manner, and the equipment was found in good order. Attendance at the nine firealarms averaged 88-1 per cent, of the total membership —a very good record. Recommended the fire-alarm siren be connected by direct wire to the Telephone Exchange. A number of the street firehydrant indicators were not in place, a matter requiring prompt attention. Te Aroha. An inspection of the brigade was made, as previously reported, on the 13th June, 1928, and an inspection of the district and the brigade equipment made on the 21st November, 1928, when (subject to the comments contained in my report to the Board in regard to the motor hose-tender) the station and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at the ten fire calls averaged 894 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a very good record. Te Awamutu. Inspection, 26th November, 1928. Two officers and eight firemen were present at the inspection muster —not a good attendance. The inspection drills were carried out smartly and in a satisfactory manner —a good all-round improvement in that respect. The equipment was in good order. Attendance at the three fire calls averaged 68 per cent, of the total membership —an improvement on the attendance for the previous year, but still below the general average. Recommendations were made in regard to installation of an electric fire-alarm system connected by direct wire with the Telephone Exchange. Timabtt. Inspection, 31st October, 1928. Two officers and twenty-one firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the twenty-two general alarms averaged 82 per cent, of the total membership —a good record. A house has been purchased to serve as a residence for the Superintendent of the Brigade ; also, two cottages as married quarters for firemen have been erected on a section adjoining the central station site. A recommendation was made that the Board acquire a site for erection of a substation for protection of the property situated in the Highfield district. Waihi. Inspection, 22nd November, 1928. Owing to a dispute then pending between the Fire Board and the brigade, but since settled in a satisfactory manner, only two officers and four firemen were present at the inspection muster. Attendance at the twenty-four general alarms averaged 72 per cent, of the total membership —a fair record. The motor fire-engine was taken for a test run, during the course of which it was apparent the engine is not now equal to the work it is called upon to perform ; also, attention of the Board was called to the defective lay-out of the street fire-alarm circuits. Waipukurau. Inspection, 17th September, 1928. The full strength of the brigade, two officers and fifteen firemen, were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and energetic manner, but more instruction and practice in certain drills is necessary. The station and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at the twelve general alarms averaged 75 per cent, of the total membership —a fair record. Recommendations were made to the Board in regard to provision of minor equipment. Wairoa. Inspection, 6th November, 1928. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner very creditable to this comparatively recently organized brigade, and the station and equipment were in first-class order. Attendance at the six general alarms averaged 71 per cent, of the total membership— a fair record. The street hydrant-indicators are of too small a pattern and are otherwise unsatisfactory ; this and other minor matters were dealt with in my report to the Board. Waitara. A surprise visit to the Waitara Fire District was made on the 26th September, 1928. The station and equipment generally was not in the good order usually maintained by the volunteer brigade under Fire Board control. The two branches in the motor hose-box are dented to the extent of affecting efficiency of the fire-jets. They require straightening or replacing by branches in better order. Attendance at the three fire calls averaged 75 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a fair record. Wanganui. Inspection, 6th February, 1929. Two officers and nineteen firemen were present at the central station inspection parade. A contingent of the Volunteer Fire Police Corps was also in attendance. A call was sent to the Castlecliff substation, in response to which the motor with one officer and five men had a delivery to work at the central station within eight minutes—a good piece of work. The required inspection drills were carried out in the usual smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in first-class order. Attention of the Board was again called to the wisdom of providing additional married quarters at the central station.

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