FT.—6a

10

more instruction and drill, as was pointed out at the time. The station and equipment are maintained in good order. During the year fourteen calls were received, and of that number eight proved to be actual fires occurring within, the district two more than during the previous year. The attendance of member's of the brigade at thirteen of the calls, No. 4 omitted, averaged 15-46 per call, or 81-37 per cent, of an average strength of nineteen throughout the year, a good record. The fire loss amounted to £699, as against £206 for 1913-14, an increase of £493. The estimated cost of the brigade for 1915-16 is £639 16s. Id., as compared with £612 6s. 9d. for 1914-15, an increase of £27 9s. 4d. DUNEDIN. Inspections of the Dunedin brigades and their equipment have been made as follows : City section of the brigade, on the 12th October, when there was present at the inspection muster the Superintendent, Deputy, fourteen permanent, and eight auxiliary firemen. The " turn out " and various drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment was in good order. A test of the flow of water from tin; mains on some of the higher levels was made, and a visit paid to a site in Beta Street, where it is proposed to build a new station, to serve the Roslyn portion of the district; and I consider the site suitable, and well situated for the purpose. An inspection of the Dunedin South section of the brigade was made on the 11th March, when there was present at the mustei the Captain, Lieutenant, and ten firemen ; these, with one on leave, accounted for the total strength. Here, as usual, the various drills were carried out in a very efficient manner, and the station and equipment found, in good, order. Later the same evening the Caversham section was inspected, when there was present the Captain, Lieutenant, and seven firemen ; these, with four on leave, accounted for thirteen out of a total strength of fourteen. Hosereel dry drill was carried out, and during its progress it was very evident that the men required more instruction and drill. This was commented upon at the time. The same old inadequate dilapidated wooden structure, which has been the object, of adverse criticism for years past, is still being made to serve as the fire-station for the Caversham part of the district. An inspection of the Roslyn section was made at 8 p.m. on the 12th March, when there was present the Captain, Lieutenant, and six firemen ; these, with six on leave—they were at work —accounted for only fourteen out of a total strength of seventeen —not a satisfactory attendance. Various wet drills were carried out in a fairly satisfactory manner. The equipment was found in good order. The City section was inspected at 9 p.m. on the 12th March. There was present on parade the Superintendent, Deputy, fourteen permanent, and six auxiliary firemen. The " turn out " and subsequent wet drill was executed smartly and efficiently. A valuable addition to the equipment of the brigade, is an 83 ft. electrical extension ladder. The ladder, which was ordered in England two years ago, and has only just been received, is similar in design and construction to one that has been in use in Auckland for some three years past, and which has proved on a number of occasions of most valuable service to the brigade of that city. The new street fire-alarm installation—a locally invented system —is proving most efficient, and up to the present, as reported to me, is giving entire satisfaction. Very little progress has been made in the matter of building a new fire-station to serve the South Dunedin, Caversham, and St. Clair portions of the fire district, and, in fact, no improvement has been made as regards stations or equipment within the said portions of the city since they came under contiol of the Fire Board ; and to-day local conditions remain the same as at the time when I made my first inspection nearly seven years ago. In my annual report for 1912-13 I drew attention to the fact that one-third of the total loss in the district occurred within the above-mentioned areas, and again this year the loss is heavy ; also, particularly seeing that they are practically residential districts, the average loss per fire in the Roslyn and North-east Valley areas has been very high, and the Board should at once carry into effect the long-delayed scheme for the better protection of the outer-lying portions of the district. No agreement has yet been arrived at between the Harbour and Fire Boards for the adequate piotection of the wharves and shipping. During the year 167 calls were received, of which ninety-seven proved to be for actual fires, an increase of eighteen in the number of calls and of nine in the number of fires over those of the previous year. The fire loss amounted to £30,550, as compared with £13,435 for 1913-14, an increase of £17,115. The estimated cost of the brigade for 1915—16 is £7,000, the same as that for 1914-15. FEILDING. Two inspections of the Feilding Fire Brigade and its equipment have been made—viz., 7th December, 1914, and 26th April, 1915. At the first inspection there was present at the inspection muster the Deputy Superintendent and nineteen firemen ; these, with one on theatre duty and the Superintendent unavoidably absent, accounted for the full strength (twenty-two) then on the roll. The " turn out " of the horse-drawn hose and ladder-cart was performed smartly ; but during th(*progrcss of the subsequently carried put wet and dry drills it became apparent that the men required more drill and instruction. The station and plant was in good order and condition.