fi, —64.

4

. A test was made of the efficiency of the fire-streams available from the .mains in the block from Miller Street, along west to Edinburgh Street, and the experiments showed that the, 3 in. mains there laid must be in a bad state of corrosion, and they should he replaced by pipes not less than 4 in. in diameter; also I. would direct attention to the necessity of laying fire mains in the following streets —Maine, Madrid, and Manila; also a continuation of the main along Barraud Street south from Denmark Street as along the north end of Christian Street, 1 would again point out the necessity for providing some better means of transport for the men and appliances. Of the value of motor transport in fire-brigade work no better illustration can be afforded than what occurred on the occasion of the fire in the ten-roomed house in Stanley Street, on the morning of the 11th instant, when, a motor-car passing the station just as the alarm was received . was used to convey the men and appliances to the fire, i bus enabling, the men to arrive at the scene in lit physical condition and at least seven minutes earlier than would have been the case had it been necessary to drag the reel by hand; and there can te no question that the seven minutes meant all the difference between severe damage or even a total loss and the good " save " if undoubtedly was. , 1 have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades.

DUNEDIN. Inspections of the Dunedin Central and its auxiliary brigades, together with their stations and equipment, have been made as follows : — City section of the brigade on the 27th September, when there were present at the inspection muster the Superintendent, Deputy, fifteen permanent and six auxiliary firemen. The turnout was carried out smartly, and the various drills performed in a satisfactory manner, in particular the newly acquired 85 ft. electric ladder working well. The Dunedin South section was inspected on the 24th March, when there were present the Captain, Lieutenant, and nine firemen; these, with four on leave, accounting for the full strength. Here, as usual, the required drill was carried out satisfactorily, and the station and equipment found in good order. Later the same evening the Caversham section was inspected : present, Captain, Lieutenant, and eight firemen; these, with two on leave, accounting for the full strength. Here the equipment was not entirely in good order, and the same remark applies to the station building. Maori Hill section, inspected 27th March; present, seven firemen. Further reference to this inspection is contained in a letter published below. Roslyn : Inspected 27th March; present, Captain, Lieutenant, and seven firemen put of a total strength of seventeen. The station and appliances were in good order. Mornington : Inspected 28th March; present, Captain, Lieutenant, and seven firemen; these, with three on. active service and two on leave, accounting for fourteen out of a total strength of fifteen. The required drill was carried out smartly, and the station and equipment were in good order. A second inspection of the city section was made on the 28th March; ptcsent, Superintendent, Deputy, fifteen permanent and five auxiliary firemen. Following is a report forwarded to the Secretary of the Board : — Sir, — Ist May, 1916. Following upon my inspection of the Dunedin Fire Brigade and its equipment in March last, 1 have to report that at the inspection muster of the Maori Hill section there were present only seven firemen; these, with two on duty at Woodhaugh, one on leave, and two absent, representing the full strength of the section, twelve all told, at the time. It will be noted there was no officer jjresent, and as a result thereof there was considerable confusion in carrying out the simple drill movements ordered, and I recommend an additional officer be appointed—some one residing on the hill portion of the district; also, an effort, should be made to increase the membership of the section. , When I was in Dunedin there was some fear of a shortage in the city water-supply, and that again brings up the necessity of providing a pumping unit so thai in case of a fire along the harbour front or on board ship sea-water may be utilized. At present practically the only supplyavailable is provided by a 4 in. main, which would in case of a fire of any magnitude be of very little use, particularly as fires on board ships very often require the use of a million or more gallons of water to extinguish them. I have, &c, Thos. T. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. Within: the" last twelve months the adjoining borough of Maori Hill .and the suburb of Anderson's Bay have amalgamated with the city, consequently increasing the Dunedin Fire District to that extent. A new 30 h.p.'pqmmercial chassis has been purchased and a body built thereon suitable to the use of the maohine for tjie lighter work of the brigade I understand tenders have been called for the erection of a substation on the section in CargilJ. Road purchased some years ago to serve the South Dunedin, Caversham, and St.. Clair portions of the district. Apparently a definite move has at last been made in the urgent matter of. providing more adequate protection for the outer areas of the fire district, The erection of the station in question will enable the old wooden sheds at present doing duty as fire-stations to be dispensed with, and should also effect a much more efficient working of the brigade within the portions mentioned, with corresponding results therefrom.