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A test was made of the flow of water from the 4 in. main in High Street, when, with a pressure of 74 lb. a flow of 230 gallons per minute was recorded. The Board has made arrangements for the installation of a system of street fire-alarms. Four calls were received during the year, all proving to be for actual fires, one more than occurred during the previous year. The attendance of members of the brigade at the feur calls averaged 16-75 per call, or 76-1 per cent, of the full strength. The fire loss for the year amounted to £3.17, as against £881 for 1913-14, a decrease of £564. The estimated cost of the brigade for 1915-16 is £647 ss. 10d., as compeared with £767 for 1914 -15, a decrease of £119 14s. 2d. HOKITIKA. Two inspections of the Hokitika Brigade, its stations and equipment, have been made—viz., 2nd December, 1914, and I.4th April, 1915. At. the first inspection, in December, there was present the Superintendent, Deputy, and eighteen, firemen ; these, with four on leave, accounted for twenty-four out of the total strength of twenty-nine then on the roll. The steam fire-engine was taken to the quay, and got to work from the river. The water was picked up quickly, and the head of steam and the water-pressure maintained particularly well considering the obsolete type of machine. At the second inspection muster there was present the Superintendent and nine firemen, with one on duty and four on leave ; these accounted for only fifteen out of a total membership of twenty-seven then, on the roll—not a satisfactory muster. At the same time, there has been a good average of attendance at the fire-calls throughout the year. Certain, drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner » by those present, and the stations and equipment is maintained in very good order and condition. During the year eight, calls were received. Of that number, seven proved to be actual fires —two less than during the previous year. The attendance of members of the brigade at the eight calls averaged 20-88 per call, or 74-57 per cent, of an average strength of twenty-eight members. The fire loss amounted to £1,147, as against. £125 for 1913-14, an increase of £1,022. The estimated cost of the brigade for 191.5 16 is £460, as compared with £433 6s. Bd. for 1914-15, an increase of £26 13s. 4d. LAWRENCE. Two inspections of the Lawrence Fire Brigade and its equipment have been made—viz., Bth October, 1914, and 10th March, 1915. The first inspection is covered by the following report, forwarded to the Secretary of the Board : — Sir,— 30th October, 1914. An inspection of the Lawrence Fire Brigade and its appliances was made on the Bth instant, when there was present at the inspection muster the Deputy Superintendent and eight firemen out of a total strength of ten then on the roll. The Superintendent was in attendance later in the evening. Various wet drills were carried out in a fairly satisfactory manner, but ferrules should be fitted on the spindles of the standpipes to prevent the ball being forced too low down on the hydrant outlets and thus choking the flow of water. If a light sounding-board were fitted over the top of the bell, cutting out the dome, I consider it will enable the bell to be heard at a greater distance than is now the case. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. At the second inspection muster there was present the Superintendent, Deputy, and five firemen ; these, with two on sick leave and one on ordinary leave, accounted for the full strength then on the roll. Various drills, wet and dry, were, carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment is maintained in good order and condition, with the exception that the ferules for the standpipes had not been fitted as recommended in my report of the 30th October. Whilst carrying out the wet drills the branches chocked several times through rust from the water-mains getting into the nozzles ; but at the time of my visit the Borough Council had under consideration a scheme for improving the water-supply and the reticulation. During the year three fires occurred in the district, an increase of one over those of last year. The attendance of members of the brigade at the three calls averaged 6-3 per call, or 63 per cent. on. an average total strength of ten members. The fire loss for the year amounted to £1,305, as against £142 for 1913-14, an increase of £1,163. The estimated cost of the brigade for 1915-16 is £80, as compared with £60 for 1914-15, an increase of £20. MAORI HILL. Two inspections of the Maori Hill Brigade, its stations and equipment, have been made —viz., 9thTOctober, 1914, and. Bth March, 191.5. WAh the first inspection'muster in October there were present the Superintendent and ten firemen ; these, r with three on ordinary leave and three just enlisted for the war, accounted for the full strength— viz., seventeen all told. Various drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner.