H.—l2-

5

Feilding. Inspection, 27th March, 1930 : Two officers and thirteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The required inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good and proper order. Attendance at the nine general alarms averaged 74-5 per cent, of the total membership —a fair record. Certain matters requiring attention mentioned during my previous inspection had been attended to. Foxton. Inspection, 2nd April, 1930 : Two officers and eight firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. With the exception that more practice in the shipping of the stand-pipes is necessary, the inspection drills were carried out in a smart and satisfactory manner. Attendance at the three " fire calls " averaged 63 per cent, of the total membership, considerably below the general average. Certain recommendations were made in regard to equipment and methods of fire drill. Gisborne. Inspection, 19th March, 1930 : Two officers and nineteen firemen were present at the inspection parade. A contingent of the Volunteer Fire Police Corps was also in attendance. The required 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 forty-three general alarms averaged 80-2 per cent, of the total membership—a good record. Nothing practical has yet been done to improve the water-supply and ensure permanent safety of the main-supply pipe-line. GREYMOUTH. Inspection, 10th December, 1929 : Two officers and seventeen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment, including the suction pipes on Mawhera Quay, were found in good and proper order. Attendance at the eighteen " fire calls " averaged 85-5 per cent, of the total membership— a good record. Attention was again called to the inadequate reticulation and other unsatisfactory conditions existing in regard to the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes in Greymouth, also in regard to the unsatisfactory state of the street hydrant indicators. Hamilton. Inspection, 10th March, 1930 : Two officers and twenty firemen were on parade at the inspection muster. A contingent of the Volunteer Fire Police was also in attendance. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in their usual first-class order. Attendance at the twenty-two general " fire calls " averaged 80-3 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade — a good record. In my report to the Board attention was again called to the expediency of purchasing additional land adjoining the present central-station site for the purpose of providing more married men's quarters. Long-service men are the backbone of all firte brigades, and every reasonable inducement should be given to retain such men in the service, particularly in the provision of quarters for married men as one of the most effective means towards that end. Hastings. Inspection, 20th March, 1930 : At the inspection muster the full strength of the brigade, two officers, twenty-one firemen, and one messenger, was on parade. Certain recommendations previously made in regard to routine drill had been adopted, and 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 forty-one general " fire calls " averaged 75 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade— a fair record. Hawera. Inspection, 25th November, 1929 : The full strength of the brigade, two officers and twelve 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 all equipment were found in first-class order. Attendance at the seven general " fire calls " averaged 92 per cent. —a very good record. Attention was again called to the advisability of purchasing additional land adjoining the present station. Hikurangi. Inspection, 21st January, 1930 : One officer and eight firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. Although suitable men were available, the brigade had been four short of the authorized strength for some months past. Instructions in squad drill and other matters were given, also recommendations were made in regard to necessary minor equipment. I noted that some of the street hydrants were covered with road-metal, also that a number of hydrant indicators were missing. The water-reticulation for fire-extinguishing purposes in Hikurangi is very inadequate, there being no fire mains in Union and Part Streets, upper parts of Valley Road, &c., all being more or less closely-built-upon areas.