H.—6a

16

Stops are required at the foot of the main doors to relieve the jar on the traveller-bar when they are swung back. The floor-opening for the sliding-pole in the social hall is too small, and the men must be cautioned not to throw their heads backwards when descending the pole, otherwise a serious accident may occur. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. Sib,— 13th March, 1913. Following upon my inspection of the Greymouth Fire Brigade and its equipments, I have the honour to forward the following reports for the consideration of your Board : — At the inspection muster there were present the Superintendent, Deputy, and fourteen firemen : these, with four on leave, accounted for the full strength of the brigade. The steam-engine was taken to the Cowper Street Bridge for practice purposes, but some difficulty was experienced in getting to work, principally due to leakage in the suction-hose. The defective length was replaced, and subsequent examination, after stripping off the outside canvas covering, showed a crack some inches in length across the hose a little distance from the coupling, also that the rubber was more or less perished. The short piece should be cut out, the coupling turned in again, and the whole length covered with new canvas carefully sewn on, and then given a couple of coats of very thin white-lead paint. The other two lengths of suction should be stripped of the old outside canvas covering and treated in the same way. This requires immediate attention. Also, another matter requiring attention is the axle and back wheels of the ladder-carriage, that are in a very defective condition. The off-side wheel in particular has developed a dangerous dish. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. The stations and equipment are maintained in good order and condition. The new central station was officially opened on the 17th July, 1912. It is of brick construction, and contains engine-house (30 ft." by 40 ft.), Board room (14 ft. by 14 ft.), recreation-room (25 ft. by 33 ft.), married quarters for Superintendent, sleeping-accommodation for six single men, detached stables, and all necessary conveniences. A new iron-framed bell and drill-tower has also been erected. Again, as in previous years, I have occasion to call attention to the unprotected state of the Preston Road and Blaketown districts. (See also annual reports for the years 1911 and 1912 dealing with this subject.) During the year just closed six fires have occurred in the district —two more than during the previous year. The average attendance of the brigadesmen at fires was 1733, or 8665 per cent, of the total strength. The fire loss amounted to £3,376, as compared with £1,100, an increase of £2,276. The estimated cost of the brigade for the year 1913-14 is £964, as against £950 for 1912-13, an increase of £14; but an amount of £250 has been set down for " redemption of loan," as against £100 set down for this same purpose in the previous year's estimate. HASTINGS. Two inspections of the Hastings Fire Brigade and its equipment have been made—viz., 6th November, 1912, and 21st April, 1913. The following two reports cover the respective inspections :— Sir, — Office of Inspector of Fire Brigades, Wellington, 13th November, 1912. In connection with my recent visit to Hastings for the purpose of inspecting the fire brigade and Fire Police Corps and their equipments, I have the honour to forward the following report for the consideration of your Board: — At the inspection muster held at 8 p.m. on the 6th instant there were present, of the brigade, the Superintendent, twenty-two firemen, and two messengers : these, with the Deputy and one messenger on leave, accounted for the full strength of twenty-seven then on the roll —a satisfactory attendance. There was no attendance of any members of the fire police, and by reference to my previous report it will be seen that upon one occasion only during the past three years has there been a satisfactory attendance of this body of men at any of my inspections, and if these conditions are to be taken as a criterion of their attendance at fires and ordinary practices it is a question as to whether they justify their existence as a body. Various drills were carried out by the members of the fire brigades, and, seeing the highpressure system has only recently been available, in a satisfactory manner on the whole. I would recommend that a loud-sounding electric bell and relay shutter should be fixed in the engine-house, and a push-button, enclosed in a small box having a glass front, fixed on the street frontage of the watch-room, all placed about the positions as indicated at the time of my visit, the interior of the box to be lighted at night and lettered as follows : "In case of fire, break glass and press button," I have, &c, Thob. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades,