19

H.—6a

To all appearances the motor hose-tender worked in a satisfactory manner. Should, however, any serious faults develop in the machine, I would advise that no more money be spent on it, but that it be sold (I understand that as much or nearly as much can be obtained as the machine cost in the first place) and a 1-ton truck chassis be purchased, and a body suited to your local requirements built thereon. For the further information of your Board in this matter I enclose herewith an excerpt from an address given at the recent conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association held in Invercargill in March last. Steps should be taken to ensure that the testing of the electric fire-alarm apparatus is periodically and properly carried out. The station and appliances were in good order and condition. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, C. J. Eccles, Esq., Secretary, Fire Board, Whangarei. Inspector of Fire Brigades. During the year four fires occurred in the district, the same number as during the previous year. The fire loss for 1918-19 amounted to £200, as compared with £1,575 for 1917-18, a decrease of £1,375. WOOLSTON. A visit was paid to Woolston on the Bth May last for the purpose of inspecting the brigade and its equipment. The, following report covers the proceedings i — Sir,— 20th May, 1919. I paid a visit to Woolston, of which due notice had been given, on the evening of the Bth instant, with the intention of inspecting the Woolston Brigade and its equipment, but upon arrival at the fire-station I found the only members of the brigade in attendance were the Superintendent, Deputy, and two firemen, and that, instead of the authorized strength of ten, these four, with two on leave, constituted the then total membership of the brigade. Also, the motor chemical-engine was out of commission owing to the breaking of the front axle, and for the time being the district was relying upon the Christchurch Brigade for its protection from fire. Fire-protection matters in the Woolston Fire District have always been in a more or less unsatisfactory state —firstly, in reference to the maintaining of the membership of the brigade up to its authorized strength, and, secondly, in reference to the provision of an adequate equipment. As the new Board is now on the point of assuming control, they should go thoroughly into tho whole matter and place the brigade and its equipment in a more efficient and satisfactory condition, either, as previously recommended, by the purchase of a motor pumping-machine and its necessary equipment, and which would also involve the building of a number of underground concrete tanks in those portions of the district where water from the river is not available to supply the pump, or, if the foregoing scheme is beyond their financial means, by making an agreement with the Christchurch Fire Board for the protection of Woolston as a contiguous district. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, — Siddall, Esq., Secretary, Fire Board, Woolston. Inspector of Fire Brigades. During the year nine fires occurred in the district, as against six during the previous year, an increase of three. The fire loss for the year amounted to £1,451, as compared with £270 for 1917-18, an increase of £1,181.

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