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In reference to the Sydenham Station, owing to borough amalgamations an extensive district is now covered from this station, and the present accommodation is both inadequate and unhealthy, and the building of a new station on the site purchased some years ago should be, taken in hand forthwith. The Board has accepted a tender for the supply of a 90ft. petrol-electric fire-ladder, which should prove a valuable addition to the equipment of the brigade. Dannevirkh. Inspection, 14th April, 1924. At the inspection muster there were present two officers and seventeen firemen, or nineteen out of a total strength of twenty. The. inspection drills were carried out, in a fairly satisfactory manner, and the, station and equipment were, found in good order. The returns show an attendance of 90 per cent, of the membership at the fourteen fire calls —a very good reco n!. A 35 11, extension fire-ladder has been added to equipment, I have again had to call attention to the necessity of installing a street fire-alarm system. Dabgaville. Inspection, Istli January, 1924. At the. inspection muster there were present, two officers and thirteen firemen! The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and thorough manner, and the station and equipment were found to be in good order and condition. Tin- attendance at seven fire calls averaged 63 per cent, of the membership. Some minor equipment is required, and the brigade should be provided with a 35ft. trussed extension fire-ladder. DUNUDIN. Inspection, 10th and 13th March, 1924. The various turnouts were performed smartly, and the stations and equipment were found in their usual good order and condition. Following upon the inspection, the final paragraph in my report submitted to the Board reads as follows : " Altogether I must again express the opinion that the, fire-protection provision in Dunedin is insufficient, and your Board would be well advised to immediately take the whole matter into consideration, and formulate, and carry out, a scheme for the more adequate piotection of the various city districts." Since then, however, the Board have purchased another, and larger, site and will erect a new central fire-station thereon ; also, tenders have been called for the supply of a 90 h.p. high-capacity motor fire-pump. Tin; pump is being purchased largely with a view to the protection of the. wharves and shipping —this notwithstanding the, fact that the Harbour Board has refused to contribute anything towards the cost, of such protection. The attitude taken by the Otago Harbour Board in this respect is quite contrary to that of other Harbour Boards in the Dominion, who recognize their responsibility in the matter and contribute towards the cost of the protection of the property under their control accordingly. Feilding. Inspection, 6th December, 1923. At the inspection muster there were present two officers and seventeen firemen. There was a considerable improvement in the performance of the inspection drills, and a generally increased efficiency in the bearing and work of the, brigade is apparent, but the average attendance (65 per cent.) of the membership at the, ten general fire calls is a low average. . The body built on the newly acquired motor-chassis is one of the best design, and the workmanship is a credit to the local builder. Some improvement has been made in the water-reticulation, but much more remains to be done before the supply can be regarded as satisfactory, Foxton. Inspection, sth June, 1924. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were not carried out in a, satisfactory manner. Tin- members of the brigade appear to be a willing, active body of men, but are much in need of instruction and drill, and if the, various drills as explained at the time are regularly practised they should soon attain a satisfactory degree of efficiency. The attendance at fire calls averaged 55 per cent, of the total membership —not a good record. The equipment was in fairly good order, but portion of the station premises was not in the neat, and cleanly condition that should obtain in a fire-brigade station. A. hose-re pairing outfit and a further supply of hose is required. Gisborne. Inspection, 23rd March, 1924. At the inspection muster there were present two officers, eighteen firemen, and three cadets. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. At the twenty-nine, fire calls there was an average attendance of 85-4 per cent, of the total membership —a good record. I have again had to call the attention of the Board to the necessity of installing a street fire-alarm system ; also, the brigade should be provided with a 50 ft. extension fire-ladder and a jumping-sheet.