H.—34

1894. NEW ZEALAND.

FIRE PREVENTION, AND APPLIANCES IN USE, GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Laid on the Table by permission of the House by the Hon. Mr. Seddon, and ordered to be printed.

No. 1. Mr. W. H. Hennah to the Hon. the Peemieb. Sib,— Wellington, 20th June, 1894. I have the honour to report that the messengers were present for practice with the fire appliances, on Saturday last, as ordered by you. They are not the stamp of men that a fire brigade would be recruited from, but, as each did his best, no fault could be found with their work. I would recommend that ten of the most active of the messengers be trained as a fire brigade for the protection of the Government Buildings, and meet once a fortnight for practice. This number is ample for the work, and the older men would only be in the way. Both lengths of hose burst during the practice. I would advise that the whole of the hose within* the building be tested as soon as possible, and 500 ft. of new hose be ordered at once. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. W. H. Hennah.

No. 2. Mr. T. H. Hameb, Private Secretary to the Hon. the Premier, to the Undeb-Secbetaby for Public Woeks. Premier's Office, Wellington, N.Z., 18th June, 1894. Memorandum for Under-Secretary for Public Works. Hon. Premier wishes instructions given to Captain Hennah to thoroughly test all hose throughout the public buildings. Mr. Moncrieff, who will call on you in the morning, is to assist. T. H. Hamee, Private Secretary.

No. 3. From the Undeb-Seceetaby, Public Works, to Mr. W. H. Hennah. Public Works Department, Wellington, 20th June, 1894. Memorandum for Captain Hennah, Wellington. I have the honour, by direction of the Minister for Public Works, to request that you will be good enough to have a thorough inspection made of all hose required to be used for fire-prevention purposes throughout the public buildings in Wellington, at your early convenience. Mr. Moncrieff, about whom I spoke to you recently, will assist you in the matter. H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works.