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At the conclusion of the inspection drills any faults shown whilst carrying out the work or any defects in the appliances used were pointed out, and in nearly all cases an address dealing with matters in connection with fire-protection and brigade-work was delivered. In addition to the statutory inspections, visits were paid for special purposes, as also were a number of visits sanctioned by the Minister of Internal Affairs in accordance with the request of various local bodies and others, as follows :• — Masterton —August 1, 1912 : Annual meeting. New Plymouth —August 29, 1912: Conference with Fire Board in the matter of new fire-stations, appliances, &c. Gisborne —January 8, 1913 : Inspection and trial of new motor machine, practical instructions in use of chemical engine, &c. Mangaweka —January 9 and 10, 1913 : Conference, with Borough Council, formation of a fire brigade, purchase of appliances, &c. Masterton —January 17, 1913 : Board meeting, consideration of tenders for motor pump and hose-car, &c. New Plymouth —January 22 and 23, 1913 : Conference with Board, consideration of tenders for motor pump and hose-car, &c. Inglewood—January 24 and 25, 1913 : Inspections of brigade and equipment, &c. Wanganui—February 15 to 22, 1913 : Annual conference and demonstration of the United Fire Brigades Association. Cambridge —May 16 and 17, 1913 : Conference with Borough Council in reference to fire-protection and brigade matters. Ruakura Experimental Farm—May 20, 1913 : Inspection of fire equipment. Lower Hutt—June 5, 1913 : Inspection and report upon suitability of motor-cars for brigade purposes. Tauranga—June 23 and 24, 1913 : Inspection and report to Borough Council upon the water-supply, equipment of the brigade, &c. Experimental Farm, Tauranga —June 24, 1913 : Inspection and report upon fire-pro-tection equipment. Rotorua--June 25, 1913 : Opening of new station, &c. In all sixty-three personal visits have been made, and advice has been given by correspondence to local bodies and others outside the fire district in relation to fire protection, purchase of fire appliances, and other matters. As in previous years, following upon an invitation received from the executive officers of the United Fire Brigades Association, I attended their annual conference and demonstration held at Wanganui in February last, and delivered an address to the delegates relating to firebrigade work in general. I was pleased to observe during the progress of the conference that there is a decided forward movement, as evidenced in particular by the passing of a resolution in favour of standardizing the fire appliances in use throughout the Dominion, as also in the competitions, wherein some of the events are being drawn up on more practical lines .than hitherto —although the principal item in that connection was not framed in an altogether satisfactory manner. About the usual number of accidents (none of a serious nature) have been sustained by firemen in the execution of their duty. The following casualties to citizens have been reported by Superintendents of Brigades as having occurred in their respective districts : — Auckland. —October 9, 1912 : St. Mary's Road, explosion of oil-engine in workshop detached from private dwelling. The owner, W. Crawford, was severely burnt about the hands and face. November 5, 1912 : Queen Street, fire in private hotel. S. J. Howard jumped from first-floor window, and died subsequently from injuries received. May 19, 1913 : Hobson Street, fire in boardinghouse. William Smith, an elderly boarder, was burned to death. The proprietor, A. Morton, was severely .burnt about the feet in trying to rescue the above. Greymouth—March 29, 1913 : Doyle Street, Blaketown, five-roomed dwelling totally destro} r ed by fire. After the fire was out a charred body was found, subsequently identified as that of A. J. Williams, aged 37, a tally clerk, and not in any way connected with the occupant or house. The principal improvements in equipment that have been effected, or are in course of being carried out, are as follows : New central stations have been erected and occupied in Dannevirke, Greymouth, Petone, and Rotorua respectively. A new central station is being erected in Christchurch, and is now approaching completion. The buildings additional to the central fire-station, Auckland, have been completed, and comprise three sets of married quarters and accommodation for twenty-four single men; a lookout tower is also included. The building of the proposed new central stations in New Plymouth and Gisborne respectively is still in abeyance, as is also the substation in South Dunedin. New motor appliances are in service in—Auckland, 55 h.p. hose tender; Palmerston North, 50 h.p. hose, ladder, and pump machine; Gisborne, 50 h.p. hose and chemical machine; Dunedin, 15 h.p. hose tender. A new system of street firt-alarms has been installed in the Arch Hill district of Auckland, and a new. system of street alarms is being installed in Dunedin; also, I understand the order has been placed for an 80 ft. electric turntable ladder for the latter city.