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radiator of the smaller type when, with a distinct explosion, the celluloid hair-combs she was wearing burst into flames, with the result she was so severely injured that her life was in danger for a time. In regard to spectacle-frames, I have heard of cases where the celluloid frames have been distorted by the heat from cooking-stoves. The danger of wearing these frames when striking matches, using candles, &c., is apparent. A warning to householders in respect to the use of certain makes of matches now being distributed in New Zealand, mostly for advertising purposes : The matches in question are of the " strike-on-the-box-only " type, put up in cardboard cartons generally containing about twenty matches. A part of the stem of the match is made of some fibrous material which, depending upon how long the match is alight, smoulders or glows from fifteen seconds to a minute and more after the match is blown out, whether the head in on or off. In the smouldering of these match-stems lies the very possible danger of causing an outbreak of fire. Appended are brief detailed reports dealing with each fire district, also the following tables : — (1) Summary of calls attended by each brigade. (2) Fire loss in each district. (3) Annual cost of each brigade. (4) Summary of the causes of fires in each district. (5) Personnel and equipment of each brigade. I have, &c., Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. The Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs.

DETAILED REPORTS. Auckland. Inspections of the Auckland Brigade, its stations and equipment, were made on the 4th and 6th May, 1927. All stations and equipment were found in proper order, and the drill and turnout at the various stations was carried out in a smart and efficient manner. Considerable renovation of the central station buildings is to be carried out, and the erection of married quarters, &c., at the Remuera station is now in hand. Erection of a station at Point Chevalier has been completed, which provides accommodation for one married and six single firemen. The water-supply for fire-extinction purposes in certain portions of the Auckland Fire District is most unsatisfactory, and to an extent that might easily lead to disastrous consequences in the large areas of congested wooden buildings so affected. Balclutha. Inspection, 13th January, 1927. One officer and seven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. Although more practice is necessary, there was considerable improvement in the carrying-out of the inspection drills, and the station and equipment was found in good order. At the nine alarms there was an average attendance of 60-6 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade. For the second time I have had to comment upon the absence of any local member of the Board at these annual inspections, and again state that such want of interest on their part is not in the best interest of the brigade. Christchurch. Inspection, 21st March, 1927. The inspection drill at the central station and the turnout at the various stations were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the stations and their equipment found in their usual good order. The newly erected district station in Sydenham is a well-designed and commodious building, and should prove a valuable factor in the fire protection of the city. Provision of more street fire-alarm boxes in the outer-lying portions of the city is necessary ; also, I again called the attention of the Board to the advisability of converting the vacant rooms at the St. Albans district station into a set of married quarters. Dannevirke. Inspection, 7th June, 1927. Two officers and sixteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a creditable manner, and the station and equipment were in first-class order. The attendance at fourteen general alarms averaged 90-15 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a very good record. During the year a street fire-alarm system has been installed, consisting of two circuits with sixteen call-boxes thereon. The Borough Council are replacing the smaller mains of the reticulation with piping of larger diameter, which will materially improve the supply of water for fire-extinction purposes.

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