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H.—6a

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Oamaru —21st October, 1913 ; 10th February, 1914. Pahnerston North—lBth November, 1913 ; 25th May, 1914. Petone —18th June, 1914. Rotorua—lBth December, 1913 ; 6th May, 191 I. Timaru—2Bth and 29th October, 1913 ; 24th and 25th April, 1914. Whangarei— 13th December, 1913 ; 12th May, 1914. 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 requests received from various local and other bodies, as follows :— Petone—l2th August, 1913 : Consultation with Board. Masterton — 11th September, 1913 : Conference with Board concerning motor tenders, &c. Christchurch —25th September, 1913 : Opening of the new central fire-station. Timaru—26th September, 1913 ; Conference with Board concerning new site and plans for new fire-station. Otahuhu—l6th December, 1913 : Conference, Borough Council, report on water-supply, fire-brigade equipment, &c. Ruakura —21st January, 1914 : Inspection fire equipment. Devonport—22nd and 23rd January, 1914 : Conference with Borough Council, report on water-supply, fire-brigade equipment, &c. Woolston—6th and 7th March, 1914 : Inspection and report upon a scheme of fire protection for the borough. Akaroa —9th to 11th March, 1914 : Annual Conference of the United Fire Brigades Association. Hawera —25th March, 1914 : Testing and report upon the new water-tower pressure and supply. Devonport—9th and 13th May, 1914 : Conference, plans of new fire-station, &c. Christchurch —9th June, 1914 : Consultation, Fire Board in connection with motor tenders. Geraldine —10th June, 1914 : Inspection of borough and report upon the water-supply, firebrigade equipment, &c. Temuka —11th June, 1914 : Inspection of borough and report upon the water-supply, firebrigade equipment, (fee. Timaru—l2th June, 1914 : Conference with Board in connection with motor tenders. In all, sixty-five personal visits have been made, and advice given by correspondence to local bodies and others in relation to fire risks and protection, purchase of fire appliances, supervision exercised over the manufacture of new plant, &c. As usual, instructional addresses were given at the conclusion of inspection drills, with particular attention to the various ways in which every member of a volunteer fire brigade who takes an interest in the subject can, whilst going about his ordinary daily work, do something towards reducing the excessive number of fires occurring in the Dominion, and which in many cases are due to ignorance and sheer carelessness. Following upon the invitation received from the executive officers of the United Fire Brigades Association I attended their annual Conference held at Akaroa in March last and delivered an address to the delegates. I was pleased to observe that the forward movement in favour of the adoption of more up-to-date methods in connection with the biennial competitions is producing practical results. About the usual number of accidents have occurred to firemen in the execution of their duty, but the only one of a serious nature took place in Auckland, when a fireman was thrown off a motor hose tender whilst proceeding to a fire. He sustained an injury to his back, but has since quite recovered. Superintendents of brigades have reported the following casualties to citizens (five fatal) as having happened in their respective, districts : — Auckland —24th July, L 913 : Fire in a factory in Swanson Street caused by an explosion of gas from distilling plant. An employee, W. Massey, was blown from top of tank and subsequently died from the injuries received. sth April, 1914 : Fire in private dwelling, 33 Upper 'Queen Street. Mrs. Annie Davis, widow, aged 70, burned to death. Christchurch —27th May, 1914 : Fire in private dwelling, 105 Brougham Street. An occupant, Mrs. Isles, badly cut in escaping through window; removed to Hospital for treatment, and since recovered. Dunedin —31st July, 1913: Private dwelling, Vire Street. Walter Mills, aged 9, sustained burns on face and hands due to explosion of kerosene when lighting fire ; was removed to Hospital for treatment. 12th September, 1913: Painter's shop, Great King Street. The proprietor, E. W. Gillams, burned on hands and face. Fire due to ignition of turpentine. Hokitika —17th May, 1914: Fire in private dwelling, Beach Street. An occupant, .lames Ferguson, suffocated prior to arrival of brigade. Masterton —6th September, 1913: Fire in private dwelling, Tararua Street. Occupier, H. Robinson, severely burned about arms and face; was removed to Hospital for treatment, and has since recovered. Palmerston North—6th September, 1913: Official in charge of gas plant at railway-station burned about hands and face. Oamaru —21st January, 1914 : Fire in private dwelling. Occupant, Miss M. Duggan, an elderly spinster, burned to death. ]4th June, 1914: Fire in private dwelling, Tweed Street. Mrs. M. A. Cormack, an elderly woman, burned to death.

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