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A high-pressure water-supply has been installed; although not yet quite complete, the water is available for fire-extinction purposes over a considerable portion of the town. The enginehouse is situated on Eastbourne Street. The water, drawn from wells, is pumped by means of two sets of Diesel engines and pumps, having a capacity of 600 gallons per minute each against a head of 403 ft., to a reinforced-conerete reservoir built on the Havelock Hills, having a head of 289 ft. from the pump-level to the outlet. The supply main running along the greater length of Heretaunga Street is 12 in. in diameter; none of the reticulation pipes is less than 4 in. in diameter, and the system is well gridironed. The street fire-hydrants have 3 in. waterways, and are spaced at an average of 250 ft. apart. The system has been well laid out, and the static pressure, averaging about 1251b. throughout the town, should meet all reasonable requirements for fire-protection purposes. During the year twelve fires have occurred in the district, four more than during the previous year. The fire loss amounted to £2,809, as comparer! with £530, an increase of £2,279. The estimated cost of the brigade for the vear 1912-13 is £1,051, as against £1,096 for 1911-12, a decrease of £45.

HAWERA. Two inspections of the Hawera Fire Brigade and its equipment have Been held —viz., Ist September, 1911, and 18th January, 1912. The following reports, forwarded to the secretary of the Board on 19th September, 7th October, and 26th January, cover the inspections, &c. : — Sir,— " 19th September, 1911. " Following upon my inspection of the Hawera B'ire Brigade on the Ist instant, I beg to direct the attention of your Board to the following matters : — " The ringing arrangements of the bell at the Central Fire Station, to which I have previously called attention, have not yet been improved, and I understand that at the last alarm given the chain, slipped off the motor sprocket-wheel. This matter should receive prompt attention. " There are now a number of fairly large houses in Collins Street, and a water-main should be laid down in that street for fire-protection purposes, particularly in view of the comparatively low pressure, and that in the event of having to run out any long lines of hose very little water would be available. " I have, &c, "Thos. T. Hugo, " Inspector of Fire Brigades." " Sir,— " 7fh October, 1911. " 1 beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 2nd instant, and, in reply thereto, have to inform you, in the first place, seeing that your water-supply is subject to intermittent diminution of pressure, I do not think it would be judicious on the part of your Board to get rid of their manual engine, and in any case think they would have some difficulty in disposing of it, as there have been for some time past several second-hand manuals advertised for sale. " As to chemical engines, they are undoubtedly an invaluable appliance in places where there is no supply or scarcity of water, but when there is a regular supply their value consists chiefly as a first-aid machine, and to ensure successful results must arrive on the scene of action very promptly. From their very nature —that is, carrying their own charges —they are somewhat heavy of transport by manual means; but, seeing that you have a number of houses wholly or partially isolated from the fire-service reticulation, and that your brigade is numerically strong, I am of opinion that a chemical engine would be suitable for and should be of good service in Hawera. I have not seen a catalogue, and am not acquainted with the details of the particular make of engine you mention, but if your Board decides to obtain one I would point out a number of these of various sizes, that have given every satisfaction to the purchasers, have been manufactured in the Dominion, and at a price that compares favourably with the cost of the imported ones. " I have, &c, "Thos. T. Hugo, " Inspector of Fire Brigades." "S IR ,_~ " 26th January, 1912. " Following upon my inspection of the Hawera Fire Brigade, its station and equipments held on the 18th instant, I beg to submit the following report for the consideration of your Board: — "At the inspection muster at 8 p.m. there was present the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and twenty officers and firemen, that, with two on duty and four on leave, accounted for the total strength of the brigade. " A series of tests of the water-pressure was carried out, with the following results : A hydrant was shipped on the 4 in. main, Union Street, and a pressure of 45 lb. was registered ; orders were then given to cut off the pump drawing from the large supply main : in 3 minutes 10 seconds a pressure of 551b. registered, and this was the maximum obtained by that operation. Orders were then given to concentrate the water : this operation called for the closing-down of five different valves. Eleven minutes after the order was given the pressure had risen to 681b., and 3 minutes later to 891b., which was the maximum pressure registered in Union Street, as also off the 6 in. main in High Street, taking in all some 17 minutes to obtain this result,