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LAWRENCE. Two inspections of the Lawrence Fire Brigade and its equipments have been made—viz 26th September, 1911, and 6th February, 1912. At the first inspection there were present the Superintendent, Deputy, and nine firemen; these, with one on leave, accounted for the full strength of the brigade, twelve, then on the roll—a satisfactory attendance. Various test drills were carried out smartly and in an efficient manner. The following report, forwarded to the secretary of the brigade, covers the second inspection :— "Sir,— ■ " 18th June, 1912. In reply to your letter dated the 7th instant, I have the honour to inform you that I held an inspection of the Lawrence Fire Brigade and its equipments on the 6th February last. At that date the full strength of the brigade was eleven all told, and there were present at the inspection muster the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and eight firemen; these, with one on leave, acounted for all —a satisfactory attendance. "A series of tests of the water-pressure was made at several points in the town, with the following Ross Place, 6 in. main, standing pressure 671b.; Whitehaven Street, 4 in. mam, 641b.; Irvine Street, 4 in. main, 611b.; when the water was concentrated in Ross Place a pressure of 71 lb. was registered. '' A number of experiments were carried out for the purpose of illustrating the efficient hre-streams available when using different lengths of hose with various-sized nozzles. "The required work was carried out in an efficient manner, and the plant and appliances are maintained in good order and condition. " As pointed out at the time, the outlet connections on the ratchet-valved stand-pipe should be screwed to standard gauge, and the connecting-pieces now in use done away with. " I noted that no improvement had been made to the ringing-gear on the firebell. " I have, &c, " Thos. T. Hugo, " Inspector of Fire Brigades." Only one fire has occurred in the district during the year just ended, two less than during the previous year. The fire loss amounted to £1, as compared with £190, a decrease of £189. The estimated cost of "the brigade for 1912-13 is £75 6s. 2d., as against £75 2s 6d for 1911-12, an increase of 3s. Bd.

MAORI HILL. Two inspections of the Maori Hill Fire Brigade, its stations and equipments, have been made —viz., 22nd September, 1911, and Ist February, 1912. The following two reports, forwarded to the secretary of the Board, respectively cover both inspections : — "Sir,—- ( "sth October, 1911. " I would direct the attention of your Board to the advisability of connecting the Superintendent's house with the Central Fire Station by telephone. Living as he does in the Woodhaugh part of the borough, he has very little chance of knowing, at the time, of any fire occurring on the Hill, and it is of great importance that the Superintendent of anv fire brigade should have the earliest information of an outbreak of fire taking [dace throughout the district he controls. Also, I would again recommend the providing of hand-pumps. The want of these appliances must have been very clearly demonstrated to the officers of vour brigade during the progress of the late serious fire at the paper-mills. " I have, &c, " Thos. T. Hugo, " Inspector of Fire Brigades." "Sir,— "12th April, 1912. An inspection of the Maori Hill I' I ) re Brigade, its stations and equipment, was made on the Ist and 2nd February last. "At the inspection muster there were present the Superintendent, Deputv Superintendent, and fourteen firemen ; these, with two on duty at Woodhaugh and two on leave,'accounted for the full strength of the brigade. The required work was carried out in an efficient manner. ' The stations and appliances are maintained in good order and condition. " In testing the fire-alarm installation the signal from the Drivers Road alarm-box registered wrongly twice in succession. The Superintendent promised to have this matter attended to immediately. " A plan of the water-main reticulation in the Maori Hill district should be hung in the fire-station. " Some new nozzles, as explained and illustrated during the course of the inspection drill are required. "I have, &c, "Thos. T. Hugo, " Inspector of Fire Brigades."