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A new central fire station in course of construction is now nearly completed, and a 65 h.p. motor appliance has been ordered. It is to be fitted with a turbine pump having a pumping-capacitv of 100 to 450 gallons per minute, and is also fitted with a 60 ft. detachable extension ladder. The first -complete year of operations by the brigade since coming under Fire Board control terminated on the 30th ultimo, and during the year twenty calls were received, of which sixteen proved to be actual fires. The attendance of brigadesmen at seventeen calls, Nos. 10-19 and 20 omitted, averaged 11-3 per call, or 70-5 per cent, of the total strength. The fire hiss for the year amounted to £3,392. The estimated cost of the brigade for 1914-10 is £2,825. WHANGAREI. Two visits have been made to Whangarei viz.. 13th December, 1913. and again on the 12th May. 1914. At my first visit in December consultation was held with the Board, then meeting, when it was finally decided to invite tenders for the supply of a suitable motor fire appliance ; later, specifications were drawn up, and tenders called for accordingly. During my second visit, on the 12th May, the local members of the Board considered the tenders received, and ultimately it was decided to accept one of them. The accepted tender provides for a5O h.p. machine fitted with a first-aid pump and carrying a two-wheeled detachable 50 ft. extension ladder. The station and plant was inspected upon both occasions, when the appliances were found to lie in good order. For the use of the men living at the station a kitchen has been built in the basement, which will enable the engine-room to be kept in better order than hitherto; hut T consider that in place of spending money on the present unsuitable building it would be a better policy, both as to efficiency and economy in the future, to erect a new fire-station, particularly as the purchase of the new motor appliance calls for further expenditure, such as strengthening the engine-room floor, &c. During the year seven calls were received, of which six proved to be actual fires, two more than during the previous year. The attendance of members of the brigade at seven calls averaged fifteen per call, or 75 per cent, of the full strength. The fire loss for the year amounted to £1,466, as against £3,244 for 1913, a decrease of £1,778. The estimated cost of the brigade for 1914-15 is £600, as compared with £480 for 1913-14, an increase of £120. Approximate Com of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (75(1 copies), £16. By Authority : John Mackat, Government Printer, Wellington.—lol4. Price, 9d.-]