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" Sir,— " 10th May, 1912. "An inspection of the Whangarei Fire Brigade and its equipment was held on the 24th April last. " At the inspection muster there were present the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and fifteen firemen; these, with one on duty and one on leave, accounted for nineteen out of the total strength of twenty —a satisfactory attendance. " The station and appliances are maintained in good order and condition. "A test of the water-pressure in the mains was made in Cameron and Bank Streets, where a standing pressure of 1131b. was registered. Various other tests in connection with the hose and different-sized nozzles were carried out. As demonstrated to the officers and members of the brigade during the course of my inspection, the new branches and nozzles obtained to replace those I had on a previous occasion adversely commented upon are not of a good design and construction, and not such as to give the best results for fire-extinction work. " Herewith I Beg to confirm my recommendations in respect to the most suitable site for a Central Fire Brigade Station, and that for the reasons fully explained to the members of your Board at the meeting held,on the 28th ultimo I place in order of suitability as follows: (1) Site on the corner of Bank and Bent Streets, known as McLeod's; (2) site in Hunt Street, known as Tucker's; (3) the remaining sites, with the exception of Harrison's, are much on a par, with perhaps a little in favour of the site in Norfolk Street known as Edward's. " I have, <fec, "Thos. T. Hugo, " Inspector of Fire Brigades." The lease of the present site having expired, and for various reasons not being again available, the Board have purchased another site for the Central Fire-station. It is proposed to remove the building and re-erect it on a new site, at the same time providing some necessary additional accommodation. During the past year seven fires have occurred in the district, or five more than during the previous year. Of these seven fires no less than five are returned as being due to incendiarism. The fire loss amounted to £4,255, as compared with £635, an increase of £3,620. The estimated cost of the brigade for the year 1912-13 is £550, as against £300 for 1911-12, an increase of £250. The increase is for the purpose of purchasing a new Central Station site, (fee, as mentioned above.

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