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OAMARU. An inspection of the Oamaru Brigade was made on the 6th May last. Tho following report covers the inspection : — Sir,— 16th May, 1919. An inspection of the Oamaru Firo Brigade and its equipment was made on the 6th instant, when at the inspection muster, there were present the Superintendent, Deputy, and nine firemen ; these, with one on duty and five on leave, accounting for the full strength of the brigade then on the roll—viz., seventeen all told. The brigade is three short of its authorized membership, and on the night of the inspection, with five on leave and out of the, town, it left only eleven in all as the total available strength of the brigade—an unsatisfactory condition of things. Various drills won 1 , carried out, but not in a satisfactory manner. A pressure-gauge should be fixed in the fire-station. Also, I noticed that some of the street hydrants were covered with road-metal or otherwise hidden from view, and this matter should receive prompt attention. In reference to the new motor first-aid pump and hose-tender, the hose-box should bo fitted with side doors so that the hose can be got to work from either side of the machine. I. note that a considerable number of new buildings have been erected on the higher levels of the town, and in view of the very inadequate pressure, of water available, thereabouts an improvement of the water-supply on the said levels is essential. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, E. Piper, Esq., Secretary, Fire Board, Oamaru. Inspector of Fire Brigades. During the year two fires occurred in the district, as against four during the previous year, a decrease of two. The fire loss for 1918-19 amounted to £40, as compared with £516 for 1917-18, a decrease of £476. PALMERSTON NORTH. An inspection of the Palmerston North Brigade was made on the 10th June, last. The following report covers the inspection : — Sir, — 19th June, 1919. An inspection of the, Palmerston North Brigade and its equipment was made on tho 10th instant, when at the, inspection muster there were present the Superintendent and thirteen firemen ; these, with two on duty and five on leave, accounting for twenty-one out of the twenty-two then on the membership roll. Certain instructional drills were carried out, and tho station and appliances were in good order and condition. To ensure reliability in running, all petrol motor-engines used for fire purposes should be fitted with dual ignition, and the now Clydesdale motor should be so fitted. The installation of a street fire-alarm system, which for various reasons has been held over for some years past, should now be proceeded with. The provision of additional married accommodation will have to be faced in the very near future, and, as the present site is altogether too cramped in area to serve as headquarters fire-station for a large and rapidly growing town such as Palmerston North, your Board would be well advised, with the least possible delay, to either purchase the adjoining section or procure a larger piece of ground elsewhere. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. W. 11. Barnard, Esq., Secretary,' Fire Board, Palmerston North. During the year twelve fires have occurred in the district, as against twenty-four for the, previous year, a decrease of twelve. The fire loss for 1918-19 amounted to £4,781, as compared with £5,441 for 1917-18, a decrease of £660. PETONE. An inspection of the Petone Brigade was made on the 30th June, 1919. The following report covers the inspection :— Sir— 9th July, 1919. An inspection of the Petone Fire Brigade and its equipment was made on the 30th ultimo, when at the inspection muster there were present the Superintendent and thirteen firemen; these, with three on leave, accounting for the then full strength of the brigade. Various drills were carried out in a very satisfactory manner, and the, station and equipment were in good order and condition. I have again to commend tho members of the brigade on the improvements to the station carried out by them.