H.—6a

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inspection muster an alarm was received for an outbreak of fire on the corner of Heretaunga and Warren Streets, and the following are some remarks upon the subsequent proceedings : — Tine, alarm was sounded on the fire-bell, at 7.45 p.m., but having to wait for the arrival of a motorcar to tow the hose-reel, it was four and a half minutes later before the first section of the brigade got away, and six minutes before the fire police got away with the salvage wagon in tow of a second motor ; the second hose-reel arrived at the fire at 8 p.m. Taking everything into consideration, on the whole, the work at. the fire was carried out in a very creditable manner ; there was no confusion, the men were well under control, and carried out smartly the various orders given. The foregoing remarks apply to both the brigade and the fire police. Of the brigade there was in attendance twenty out of the full strength of twenty-five, the remaining five were on. leave. There was a full attendance (fifteen) of the fire police. An area should be set out as including the greater fire risk of the town, and instructions given to the members of the brigade that whenever an alarm of fire is received from within this defined area, after the departure of the first reel, the second reel is to be taken on to the fire without awaiting further orders. Referring to the building of the body on the proposed new motor chassis, for sound reasons connected with the practical working of the machine I have to recommend the hose-box type be adopted instead of the hose-reel, also the chemical cylinder should be mounted on the chassis, since the installation of the high-pressure water-supply and with the adoption of the motor service the practical use of your chemical engine as it is at present —that, is, mounted on its own carriage and drawn by hand—is very much restricted; but, by mounting it on the motor, it will again become a valuable unit of the brigade equipment. I estimate the weight-of the running load, made up of eight men, 1,000 ft. of hose, chemical cylinder and hose, ladders, and smaller equipment, but not including the body, will amount to 23 cwt. As I was informed by your Chairman, the chassis is equal to carrying 2 tons ; the load is well within its capacity, and the horse-power (25 h.p.) of the engine, as judging from English makers systems of rating, should be ample ; but taking into consideration the level nature of your borough, if the 25 h.p is the maximum developed, by the engine, it leaves little, if any, margin over the actual power required for the effective working of the machine. The appointment of a permanent man to act as caretaker and motor-driver should now receive the attention of your Board. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. On the 7th June there was present at the inspection muster : Fire Brigade Superintendent, Deputy, nineteen firemen, and two messengers; these, with, one on leave, accounting for twenty-four out of a strength of twenty-five then on the roll. Fire Police Corps—Captain, two Lieutenants, and eight constables ; these, with one on leave, accounting foi twelve out of a total strength of fifteen. Various drills and demonstrations of ambulance work, &c, were carried out by both bodies in a satisfactory manner. The station and all equipment was in good order and condition. The stock of good working hose, 1,700 ft., is not sufficient, and a further 800 ft. should be provided. The Board has purchased a new motor chassis, and the body is being built locally. The chemical cylinder has been taken oil' its old hand-drawn carriage, and is being mounted, on the motor. At the time of my last visit it was expected that the machine would be ready to put in commission within a few days. Forty calls were received during the past year, of which twenty-seven proved to be for actual fires within the district, an increase of twenty-three calls over those of the previous year. The attendance of members of the brigade and fire police at thirty-six calls, Nos. 13, 15, 32, and 34 omitted, was as follows : Fire brigade, 1.8-36 per call, or 70-61 per cent, of the full strength ; fire police, 76 per call, or 50-7 per cent. The fire loss for the year amounted to £4,718, as against £6,402 for 1913 14, a decrease of £1,681. The estimated cost (if the brigade for 1915 16 is £1,287, as compared with £1,105 for 1914-15, an increase of £182. HAWERA. Two inspections of the Hawera Fire Brigade and its equipment has been made—-viz., 17th September, 1.914, and 3rd February, 1915. At the first inspection muster in September there was present the Superintendent, Deputy, seventeen firemen, and two messengers; these representing the full strength of the brigade. Various drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner. There is a general improvement in the average pressure of water supplied from the gravitation reservoir, and at 8.1 p.m., with the pressure from that source registering 55 lb. on'the station gauge, the tower supply was turned on, with the result that sixty-seven seconds after opening the valve 65 lb. was showing on the gauge. Next morning the electric pumping plant, was tested with most satisfactory results. At the second inspection there was present the Superintendent, Deputy, sixteen firemen, and two messengers ; these, with two on leave, representing the full strength of the brigade. Various drills were carried out efficiently, and the stations and equipment maintained in good order and condition. Considerable improvement is apparent in the personnel of the brigade, as also in the smarter manner and better method of carrying out the various exercises.