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4

and improvements in the various services. The value of such co-ordination should be cieariy apparent, for instance, as affecting the fire service in the matter of water-supply, building regulations, storage of imflammable goods, and many other kindred matters. Such committees certainly tend to do away with much of the friction that now exists owing to overlapping authority. Appended are brief reports dealing with each fire district, also the following tables : — 1. Summary of calls attended by each brigade. 2. Fire loss in each district. 3. Annual cost of each brigade. 4. Summary of the causes in each district. 5. Personnel and equipment of each brigade. I have, &c., Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. The Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs.

DISTRICT REPORTS. Auckland. Inspection, 20th and 21st September, 1929 : The several stations and their equipment were found in first-class order and the " turnouts," &c., in each case was carried out in a smart and efficient manner. Erection of the new fire-station for protection of the Avondale section of the district was completed and occupied in the early part of the year. A new site has been purchased in Long Drive, St. Heliers, and plans for a new station for the protection of the Tamaki section of the Auckland Fire District are being prepared. Plant additions during the year include one 20-60 h.p. and one 30 h.p. new motor fire-engines, also considerable extensions of the street fire-alarm systems has been carried out. Balclutha. Inspection, 6th February, 1930: Two officers and six firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The station and equipment were found in good order and the inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory and creditable manner, but the numerical strength of the brigade is seriously low and should be brought up to the authorized number. Attendance at the ten general alarms averaged 70 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade —a fair record. Certain recommendations were made to members of the Board who were present at the inspection. Christchurch. Inspection 16th December, 1929 : The inspection parade and drill at the central station and the " turnouts " at the several substations were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and all stations and their equipment were found in first-class order. Dannevirke. Inspection 7th October, 1929 : Superintendent, deputy, and sixteen 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 eleven " fire calls " averaged 90 per cent, of the total membership—a very good record. In my report to the Board I again recommended the appointment of a permanent fireman on the brigade strength. DAKGA VII.LE. Inspection, 20th January, 1930 : Two officers and fourteen 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, with exception of a quantity of the newly purchased fire-hose, were found in good and proper order. Attendance at the seven " fire calls " averaged 75 per cent, of the total membership—a fair record. Recommendations were made in regard to provision of certain necessary minor equipment. The fire-station building is much in need of renovation, but its present site is unsuitable for the purpose, and a recommendation was made to the Board that a new site be purchased. Dunedin. Inspection, Bth February, 1930 : The inspection and subsequent drill at the central station was carried out in a smart and efficient manner, as also was the " turnout " at the South Dunedin and Roslyn substations. All stations and equipment were found in first-class order. The question of the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes in Dunedin has been causing anxiety for some time past. The foundation-stone of the new central fire-station at the corner of Castle and St. Andrews Streets was laid on the 18th March. Eltham. Inspection, 28th November, 1929 : Two officers and ten firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The required inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order and condition. Return of the attendances at the " fire calls " was incomplete. Recommendations in regard to provision of minor equipment were made, and attention called to the unsatisfactory condition of many of the street fire-hydrant indicators.