H.—6a.

18

LAWRENCE.

Two inspections of the Lawrence Fire Brigade and its equipment have been made—viz., 23rd October, 1913, and 12th February, 1914. At my first inspection in October there were present the Superintendent, Deputy, and six firemen : these, with one on leave, representing the total number then on the roll. Various wet and dry drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner. The station and appliances are maintained in good order. The second inspection is covered by the following report, forwarded to the secretary of the Board :— Sir,— 26th February, 1914. An inspection of the Lawrence Fire Brigade and its equipment was made on the 12th instant. At the inspection muster there were present the foreman and seven firemen, which with I In , Superintendent and Deputy on leave, accounted for the full strength of the brigade. Various experiments were carried out along Irvine Street, with the object of finding out what pressure and flow was to be obtained from Hie 3 in. Water-main there. It was found at the last hydrant, with 100 ft. of hose and aij in. mizzle, that t lie jet was projected only some 12ft.—useless for fire-extinction work. The flow gradually increased on approaching Ross Place, and there is no doubt that the waterway of this main along Irvine Street is badly obstructed either by the formation of nodules or silt, or both, and it should be scraped and scrubbed, or, as it is old and only 3 in. in diameter, replaced with 4 in. piping and branches therefrom laid up Carlisle and Anan Streets, and where at present there is no protection for a number of dwellings. I have also to recommend that a two-cylinder (25 gallons each) chemical engine be purchased, a .small shed erected on the crest of the hill in Peel Street just above the junction of Lismore and Oban Streets, and the engine stationed there. From that position there is a downhill run in every direction, and, there being no water available on the higher levels, consequently no protection for the numerous houses situated thereon, a chemical engine should prove of valuable assistance. I have, &c, Tims. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. During the year two fires have occurred, one more than during the previous twelve months. The attendance of members of the brigade at the two fires average 5-5 per call or 50 per cent, of the full strength. The fire loss amounted to £142, as against £400 for 1913, a decrease of £258. The estimated cost of the brigade for 1914-15 is £60, as compared with £75 for 1913-14, a decrease of £15. MAORI HILL. Two inspections of the Maori Hill Fire Brigade, its stations and equipment, have been made— viz., 24th October, 1913, and 13th February, 1914. At the first inspection there were present the Superintendent, Deputy, and eight firemen : these, with two on duty and three on leave, accounted for only fifteen out of a total strength of nineteen. There was present at the second inspection Superintendent, Deputy, and thirteen firemen ; and these, with one on duty and three on leave, accounted for the full strength of the brigade. On both occasions various wet and dry drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner. The stations and plant are maintained in good order and condition. During the time of my first visit the street fire-alarm circuit was out of order for about seven minutes, the indicator repeatedly showing " open circuit." No fires occurred in the district during the past year. Two calls were received and attended by the brigade ; one proved to be for a fire outside the district, and the other was a malicious false alarm. The estimated cost of the brigade for the year 1914-15 is £200, the same amount as for the year 1913-14. MASTERTON. Two inspections of the Masterton Fire Brigade and Fire Police Corps, their stations and equipment, have been made—viz., 27th November, 1913, and 25th June, 1914. At the first inspection in November there were present: Fire brigade—Superintendent, Deputy, and eighteen firemen, these representing the then total strength ; fire police—Captain, two lieutenants, and seven constables: these, with three on leave, accounting for thirteen out of a total strength of fifteen. Various drills were carried out by both bodies in a satisfactory manner. The second inspection is covered by the following report forwarded to the secretary of the Board : — Sir,— Ist July, 1914. An inspection of the Masterton Fire Brigade and of the Fire Police Corps, with their respective equipments, was held on the 25th ultimo, and following is my report in that connection :— At the inspection muster there were present : Fire brigade—Superintendent, Deputy, and nineteen firemen : these, with one on leave, accounted for the full strength of the brigade. Fire police— Captain, three lieutenants, and seven constables : these, with two on leave, accounted for thirteen <>ut of a total strength of fourteen. Satisfactory attendance in both cases.