H.—6a

16

TAURANGA. An inspection of the Tauranga Brigade and its equipment was made on the 7th November last. The inspection is covered by the following report forwarded to the Secretary of the Board: — Sir, — 27th November, 1917. An inspection of the Tauranga Brigade, its station, and equipment was made on the 7th instant, and in that connection I beg to submit the following report for the consideration of your Board :— At the inspection muster there was present the Superintendent, Deputy, and eleven firemen; these, with one on leave, representing the then full strength of the brigade, which is six short of the authorized number, and every effort should be made to fill the vacancies. Wet- and dry-hose and ladder drill were oarried out in a satisfactory manner, and 1 am pleased to say there is a great improvement in the methods of and the carrying-out of the various drills. The electric-bell-ringing apparatus and street-fire-alarm system has not yet been installed, and the matter is, I understand, being held over for fiuancial reasons. I note the brigade possesses only four helmets; as a helmet is an important item of a fireman's outfit, and essential to effective work at fires, I would recommend that every 7 active member of the brigade be provided with one as soon as possible. As pointed out at the time, the floor of the reel-house requires renovating. In accordance with my promise 1 have made inquiries in the matter of the collapsible canvas fire-buckets, and enclose herewith sample of canvas and quotation for the supply of eight buckets. I have, (fee, Tnos. T. Hugo, The Secretary, Fire Board, Tauranga. Inspector of Fire Brigades. Two fires occurred in the district during 1917-18 as against five during 1916-17, with a decrease of £9,871 in the fire loss. The attendance of the brigade at seven calls averaged IPB6 members per call. TIMARU. An inspection of the Timaru Brigade and its equipment was made on the 19th March last, and tho inspection is covered by the following report forwarded to the Secretary of the Board :— Sir,— sth April, 1918. An inspection of the Timaru Fire Brigade and its equipment was made on the 19th March last, and in that connection I beg to submit the following report for the consideration of your Board : — At the inspection muster there was present the Superintendent, Deputy, and fifteen firemen; these, with one on the sick-list and two on leave, representing the full strength of the brigade. Various drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner,'and the stations and equipment are in good order and condition. in reference to the 60ft. fire-escape ladder: most ladders of that type are fitted with pole struts, and the later-imported ladders of that particular make are so fitted. The said struts add greatly both to stability and ease of working of the ladder, and I would recommend it be so fitted, and which can be done at a very low cost if carried out in the manner explained at the time of my visit. I notice the street-hydrant plate indicators have been removed along Stafford Street, and in place thereof the kerbstone has been painted white, but had become so discoloured that in some cases the painted portion could, even in daylight, hardly be distinguished from the other part of the kerbing, and would be quite useless at night. The clear marking of the street hydrants is most essential to the efficient working of a fire brigade, and I would recommend in this case that the indicator plates be fixed in position on the outer edge of the verandas, or, if it is desired to keep the indicators on the kerb, then a white glazed tile not less than 2 ft. long, 8 in. wide on top, and 6 in. deep should be let into the kerbstone. The present heavy motor-machine has now been in continuous use for over three years, and it is quite time that a second and lighter machine be provided to relieve the heavier one of the longer runs. I understand it was the intention of your Board to purchase some such machine last year, and I would recommend that one be provided as early as possible, and that it bo of the hose-tender and turbine-pump type, the pumping-capacity of the suggested machine to be 150 to 200 gallons per minute, which is ample for the purpose for which it is required. 1 have, (fee, Thos. T. Hugo, H. Fraser, Esq., Secretary, Fire Board, Timaru. Inspector of Fire Brigades. During the year 1917-18 the same number (eight) of fires occurred in the district as during 1916-17, but with an increase of £409 in the fire loss. The attendance of the brigade at fourteen calls, No. 11 omitted, averaged eighteen members per call. WAIHI. An inspection of the Waihi Brigade and its equipment was made on the 21st November last. The inspection is covered by the following report forwarded to the Board : — Sin, — 21st November, 1917. An inspection of the Waihi Brigade and its equipment was made on the 6th instant, and in that connection I forward the following report for the consideration of your Board :—■ At the inspection muster there were present the Superintendent, Deputy, and ten firemen; these, with two on leave, accounting for fourteen out of a total strength of sixteen then on the