H.—6a

8

Tauranga. Inspection, 20th November, 1923. Two officers and eleven firemen were, in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. The attendance at the six fire calls averaged 84 percent, of the membership of the brigade —a good record. The roadway on the corner of Durham and Wharf Streets, in the immediate vicinity of the firestation, is in a most dangerous condition, and renders any run of the fire-motor in that direction, particularly at night, a very risky proceeding. I had again to bring under the notice of the Board the necessity of securing an additional portion of the adjoining land with a view to extension of the fire-station premises. Te Aroha. Inspection, 21st November, 1923. Two officers and ten firemen were, in attendance at the. inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in an energetic manner, and, whilst showing an improvement, there is room for more. At the, nine fire calls there was an attendance of 84 per cent, of the membership—a good record. The newly erected central fire-station is now in occupation, but the present firebell does not appear to be satisfactory for general alarm purposes, and it should be replaced either by a siren or a heavier bell. Timaru. Inspection, 30th January, 1924. Two officers and sixteen firemen were present at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in the usual good order and condition. At the forty-six fire calls the attendance averaged 76 per cent, of the membership —a fair record. In view of future extension, which must come, the Board would do well to secure, whilst they can be purchased at a reasonable price, one or other of the sections adjoining the central-station site. Also, more accommodation for married firemen should be provided, and I have recommended the erection of three self-contained cottages facing Latter Street on the present site. Wathi. Inspection, 2nd April, 1924. Two officers and nine, firemen were in attendance, at the inspection muster. It was evident that the brigade were in need of more drill and instruction, but the members are apparently an active, willing body of men, and with proper attention and practice of the recently standardized squad drill they should easily attain a satisfactory degree of efficiency. The attendance at the forty-four fire calls averaged 72 per cent, of tin; total membership— in all the circumstances, a good record. A new standard stand-pipe, is required, and the Board should replace or improve the present unsatisfactory street fire-alarm system. Waitara. Inspection, 9th October, 1923. Two officers and ten firemen were present at the inspection muster. Various inspection drills were, carried out, and, whilst there was some improvement as compared with my previous inspection, it, was not, to the extent I expected. A 20 h.p. motor chassis has been purchased, a suitable body built thereon, and the machine is now in commission as a hose-and-ladder tender. Wanganui. Inspection, sth December, 1923. At the inspection muster there were present two officers and seventeen firemen out of a total strength of twenty then on the roll. The required inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in first-class order. During the year the town districts of Gonville and Castlecliff amalgamated with the. borough, thus becoming one fire district under the control of the Wanganui Fire Board, and steps are now being taken to adequately protect the, additional area. A site is to be purchased and a station erected thereon, so situated that it will serve both districts. A permanent district officer with one permanent and fourteen auxiliary firemen have already been appointed, and a street fire-alarm service is to be installed immediately. Whangarei. Inspection, 14th January, .1924. At the inspection muster there were present two officers and ten firemen out of a total strength of twenty then on the roll. The inspection drills were carried out in a fairly satisfactory manner, but the recently standardized squad drill system should be adopted. The records show the attendance at fire calls averaged 68-4 per cent, of the membership—-not a good average. A street fire-alarm system should be installed in the near future ; in the meantime the present remote-switch-control system should be extended along the Kamo and Mauna Roads.