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The body part of the new motor hose-and-ladder tender is more bulky and spacious than is necessary, and it is not designed on the most efficient lines, but it is well and strongly built, and on the whole the machine is equal to local requirements. A 35 ft. trussed telescopic fire-ladder, either Ajax or Pretoria pattern, should be provided and carried on the motor machine, and I have also recommended that an order should be placed for a further supply of 500 ft. of hose. \ Ybur Board should now take into consideration the installation of a system of street fire-alarms. I have, &c, Thos. T. Huoo, W. Dobson, Esq., Secretary, Fire Board. Inspector of Fire Brigades. A 40 horse-power motor-chassis was purchased, and a body to suit requirements built thereon locally. Four fires occurred during the year, the same number as for 1917-18. The fire loss for the year amounted to £538, as against £113,834 during 1917-18, a decrease of £113,296. DARGAVILLE. An inspection of tho Dargaville Brigade was made on the Ist April, 1919. The following report covers the inspection : — Sin,— Bth April, 1919. An inspection of the Dargaville Fire Brigade and its equipment was made on the Ist instant, when there were present at tho inspection muster the Superintendent and nine firemen ; these, with three on leave, accounting for thirteen out of a total strength of fourteen then on the roll. Various wet drills were carried out in a smart and competent manner, and the station and equipment, with the exception of the steam fire-engine, are in good order and condition. A test was made of the three recently installed siren fire-alarms, which served to prove that whilst the balance and running of the working-parts is exceptionally good, this particular pattern and size of siren, at any rate when worked by water-power, as in this case, is not effectual as a fire-alarm at a greater radial distance than three-quarters of a mile at the outside. However, a little adjustment of positions will provide your town with an efficient fire-alarm, service--viz., the bell and tower at present situated at tho wharf at the foot of Hokianga Road to be removed and re-erected at the central fire-station, where it will serve as tho principal alarm, when the tower also can be utilized for hose-drying purposes, and the siren now fixed on the roof of the station removed and fixed at the. Bank of Now Zealand corner or in that immediate vicinity. The several reasons governing the above recommendations were fully explained to certain members of your Board and to the Superintendent at the time of my visit. , In regard to the provision of a motor fire machine for the transport of men and appliances, I recommend that a 1-ton chassis be purchased, and a body built thereon to suit your local requirements. This matter was also discussed with certain members of your Board both in Dargaville and Auckland, but for their further information in this matter I enclose herewith an excerpt from an address given at the conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association recently held in Invercargill. The brigade has not yet been supplied with a hand-pump as previously recommended, and they should be provided with one as soon as possible. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, C. Bagnall, Esq., Secretary, Fire Board, Dargaville. Inspector of Fire Brigades. Two fires occurred in the district during the year.- The fire loss for 1918-19 amounted to £300, as compared with £20 for 1917-18, an increase of £280. DUNEDIN. An inspection of the Dunedin Brigade, its stations and equipment, was made on the 7th and 12th March last, when the various turnouts, drills, &c, were carried out smartly and efficiently ; also, the various stations with the plant and appliances were found in good order and condition. In Roslyn the old Borough Chambers were in course of conversion into a temporary fire-station, pending the erection, when opportunity will allow, of a modern substation on the section owned by the Board in Beta Street. No practical action has yet been taken by the Dunedin Harbour Board, or other of the local authorities, in the matter of the better protection from fire of the wharves and shipping. I would again point out that the North-east Valley section of the city should bo provided with some greater degree of protection than it has at present. During the year sixty-five actual fires occurred in the district, as against seventy-four for the previous year, a decrease of nine. The fire loss for 1918-19 amounted to £9,121, as compared with £51,798 for 1917-18, a decrease of £42,677.