11

H.-.- 6a

DANNEVIRKE. Two inspections of the Dannevirke Fire Brigade and its equipment were made —viz., Bth November, 1911, and 12th June, 1912. . At the first inspection there were present the Superintendent, Deputy, and twelve firemen, or fourteen out of twenty then on the roll. The authorized strength of the brigade is twenty-four all told : this includes two messengers. During the course of the test drills it was evident that the. members of the brigade required more drill and instruction generally. The following report, forwarded to the secretary of the Board, covers the second inspection : — " Sir, — " Office of the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Wellington, 15th June, .1912. " 1 have the honour to inform you that an inspection of the Dannevirke Fire Brigade and its equipment was held on the 4th instant. '' Out of the total strength of twenty-two on the roll there were present at the inspection muster the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and twelve firemen, with five men on leave and three absent —not a satisfactory attendance; and this remark applies also to the attendance at the previous inspection held in November last. "A test of. the water-pressure was made at several points in the town, and an average standing pressure of 851b. was registered. A series of experiments with various lengths of hose and different-sized nozzles were also carried out. " The plant and appliances at both stations are maintained generally in good order. " When turning in new hose it should always be cut into uniform lengths of 100 ft. That at,present in use has been cut altogether too short, and no two pieces appear to be of the same length. The whole supply should be measured, the length of each piece marked on its female coupling end, and the total amount in stock ascertained; the supply should not be allowed to fall below 2,000 ft. of good serviceable hose. "A number of the branches are dented, and they require placing on a mandrel and straightening. Three new •£ in. nozzles are required. " In company with the Chairman and another member of the Board, a visit was paid to the new Central Fire Station, now in course of and various suggestions were made in that connection. " I have, &c, " Thos. T. Hugo, " Inspector of Fire Brigades." The new Central Station now in course of erection in Allardyce Street is nearing completion, and should be ready for occupation shortly. The attendance of members of this brigade at the inspection musters and subsequent drills during the year just ended has been far from satisfactory, and points to a want of discipline in that respect. Not only has there been a very considerable delay in sending in the report of fires occurring in the district, but also the report-forms have been filled in in a very perfunctory manner. During the year just ended seven fires have taken place in the district, the same number as in the previous year. The fire loss amounted to £916, compared with £955 for 1911, a decrease of £39. The estimated cost of the brigade for the year 1912-13 is £685 65., as against £592 9s. 4d. for 1911-12, an increase of £92 16s. Bd. The increase in the estimates is due to (1) providing a horse for the hose-cart, hitherto drawn by hand; (2) removal of bell-tower to new-station site; (3) furnishing for new station.

DUNEDIN. Inspections of the Dunedin Fire Brigades, their stations and equipments, have been held as follows: Dunedin—27th September, 1911, 2nd and 7th February, 1912; South Dunedin—2Bth September and 3rd February; Caversham —28th September. At the inspection of the South Dunedin section of the brigade on the 28th September there were present the Captain, Lieutenant, and eleven firemen, representing the full strength of the brigade —thirteen —then on the roll. The various drills were carried out in a thoroughly competent manner, and a very efficient discipline is evident. The station and equipment is maintained in good order and condition. The two following reports, forwarded to the Secretary of the Board, and dated sth October, 1911, and 27th February, 1912, respectively cover the other inspections : — " Sir,— " sth October, 1911. ■:'■■): "I have the honour to inform you that during the course of my inspection of the Dunedin City Fire Brigade on the evening of the 27th.ultimo, it became apparent there was something wrong with the nozzles that were being used, the jet breaking or spraying in some cases within 15 ft. of the branch, instead of projecting a solid stream to a distance of at least 90 ft. Upon examination I find that all the nozzles over 1 in. in diameter are badly defective in their construction. It will be readily understood that this is a very serious matter, and properly designed nozzles should be obtained as soon as possible. I am sending you by post, for comparative purposes, a standard nozzle, J in. diameter, the only one I have available; also, I enclose herewith a copy of the Fireman for Ist December, 1909, containing on page 105 an instructive article on nozzles. As this paper is of value to me I shall be obliged if you will return it and the nozzle when finished with.