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AUCKLAND. Two inspections of the Auckland Fire Brigade, its stations and equipment, have been held —viz., 28th and 29th November, 1911, and 26th April, 1912. The several turnouts of the brigade and its appliances were accomplished in quick time, and the various drills required were carried out smartly and efficiently. The stations and equipment are maintained in good order and condition. Following is a report in the above connection forwarded to the secretary of the Fire Board : — " Sie,— " 10th January, 1912. "I have the honour to inform you that I held an inspection of the Auckland Fire Brigade, its stations and equipment, on the 28th and 29th of November last. "A false alarm of fire was given at 8.12 p.m. on the evening of the 28th from the alarmbox situated at the corner of Wellesley and Hobson Streets. The first motor from the Central Station, with the Superintendent and eleven firemen, arrived at 8.13'39 p.m.; the second motor from the same station, with the Deputy Superintendent and ten men, arrived at 8.13'54 p.m.; and the Ponsonby Station motor at 8.14'14 p.m. The first water was shown at 8.14/3 p.m., oi 2 minutes 3 seconds from the time the alarm was given. These results were very satisfactory. " The subsequent drills and turnouts at the different stations were also performed in a satisfactory manner. " The plant and appliances I found in good order and condition. " The internal arrangements of the proposed, new building to be erected on the Beresford Street frontage of the Central Station site have been designed in a very suitable and satisfactory manner, and this addition, with the other proposed alterations, should provide ample residential acommodation at this station. "Whilst in Auckland I noted the unsatisfactory conditions in connection with street firehydrant indicators throughout the city. Altogether absent in some cases, they are generally quite too small and indistinguishable, particularly at night-time, when they are most needed. It must be apparent how necessary it is to the efficient work of the brigade that they should, immediately upon their arrival, be able to pick up the street hydrants with the least possible delay. A uniform system of prominent indicators is an important factor in enabling that to be done, and I would recommend that your Board should suggest to the City Council the advisability of adopting a system similar to that now being installed in Christchurch —viz., a glazed white tile about 14 in. long on the edge of the footpath, 8 in. broad from the edge of the curb back on the footpath, moulded with a lip 4 in. in depth, the tile let in flush with the lip, showing on the street face of the curb : the surface of the tile corrugated to prevent persons from slipping on it. "I have, &c, "Thos. T. Hugo, " Inspector of Fire Brigades." The plans for the additions to the Central Fire-station, to be erected on the Beresford Street frontage, include two sets of married quarters and accommodation for twenty-two single firemen, and the building is now being proceeded with. The City Council are replacing the old street fire-hydrant indicators with those of a more useful pattern. A combined turntable ladder and hose car ordered in England has been landed, and will be put in commission shortly. The motive power of the car is electricity, and the same power is used for working the ladder, which can be extended to a height of 87 ft. The machine should prove a most valuable addition to the plant of the brigade. The Board has recently ordered from England a new 60 h.p. motor hose-car for the use of the brigade. During the year ending 30th June, 1912, the brigade has attended 164 calls, as against 167 for the previous year, of which number 77 were actual fires occurring in the city. The fire loss for the year amounted to £121,715, as compared with ,£6,982, an increase of £114,733. Of the total loss £115,000 was due to the fire that took place on the premises of Messrs. Macky, Logan, and others on the 16th November, 1911. The estimated cost of the brigade for the year 1912-13 is £8,190, as against £8,174 for 1911-12, an increase of £16.

CHRISTCHURCH. Two inspections of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, its stations and equipment, have been made—viz., 26th and 27th October, 1911, and 25th March, 1912. At the request of the Fire Board a special visit was paid to Christchurch on the 2nd May last for consultation purposes. The following two reports, forwarded to the secretary of the Board, and dated 4th November, 1911, and 12th April, 1912, cover the respective inspections: —» "Sir,— "4th November, 1911. " I have the honour to submit for the consideration of your Board the following report in connection with my inspection of the Christchurch Fire Brigade on the 26th and 27th ultimo. " A surprise false alarm of fire was given from the box situated at the corner of Lichfield and Colombo Streets at 8.34 p.m. on the 26th ultimo. No answering ring was received from the bell placed above the alarm-box, but upon making inquiries at the station later the fireman on

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