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Dargaville. Inspection, 14th December, 1926. Two officers and ten firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The various inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station and equipment were found in good order. The attendance at the four fire calls averaged 70 per cent, of the total strength—a fair record. Alterations and extensions of the reticulation has considerably improved the water-supply for fire-extinction purposes. Recommendations were made in respect to the fire bell-ringing apparatus, as also in the matter of forming a volunteer Fire Police Corps. Dunedin. Inspection, 17th January, 1927. The inspection drills and turnout at the several stations were performed smartly, and the various appliances were got to work in an efficient manner. The stations and equipment were found to be in their usual good order. A 20 h.p. motor runabout car has been purchased as additional to the brigade equipment. A section for erection of a new fire-station, for protection of the Anderson's Bay district, has been purchased. Better provision for protection of the Mornington district is very necessary. Eltham. Inspection, 27th October, 1927. Two officers and thirteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a fairly satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. Attention was called to the unsatisfactory condition of some of the street fire-hydrants. Purchase of a 35 ft. extension ladder, also six canvas collapsible fire-buckets, was recommended. The water-supply intake grating at times becomes entirely blocked with leaves or other flotsam, which takes some hours to clear, during which time no water is available for fire-extinction purposes— a very serious condition of things. In my previous reports I called attention to this matter, but up to the time of my last inspection the fault had not been permanently remedied. Feilding. Inspection, 21st April, J 927. Two officers and thirteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The station and all equipment were found in good order and condition. Attendance of brigadesmen at the eleven fire calls averaged 70-8 per cent, of the total membership—a fair record. A 20/35 h.p. motor combination fire-engine, fitted with a 250/300 g.p.m. turbine pump, first-aid pump outfit, 30 ft. extension ladder, &c., has been purchased. Several efficiency tests of the outfit were made, and results proved the machine to be equal, to specifications. Recommendations were made in respect to an electrically-operated siren, or bell, fire-alarm, as also in regard to minor matters. Foxton. Inspection, 12th April, 1927. Two officers and twelve firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. There is continued improvement in the carrying-out of the inspection drills. The station and equipment were in good order ; in this also there is quite an improvement. Attendance at eight general alarms averaged 60-2 per cent, of the total membership. A volunteer Fire Police Corps has been organized, and should prove a valuable factor in fireprevention matters in Foxton. A weak point in the organization is the absence of any adequate means of giving an alarm in case of an outbreak of fire in the daytime and early evening, and a recommendation was made that an electrically-operated siren be installed, connected by direct wire with the Telephone Exchange. Gisborne. Inspection, 13th October, 1926. Two officers and seventeen firemen and cadets were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory and efficient manner, and station and all equipment proved in good order and condition. Steam was raised in the stationary fire-engine, when pump and auxiliary salt-water reticulation system proved to be in good workingorder. Attendance at the thirty-five general alarms averaged 80-1 per cent, of the total brigade membership —a good record. A street fire-alarm system, consisting of four circuits having fifty-seven call-boxes fixed thereon, has been installed. The brigade had not, at the time of my inspection, been provided with a suitable fire-ladder, a most necessary piece of equipment. Greymouth. Inspection, 15th March, 1927. Two officers and fourteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the stations and equipment were found in good order. The attendance of brigadesmen at eighteen fire calls averaged 90-15 per cent, of the total membership —a very good record. The substation erected in High Street for protection of the southern portion of the district provides ample accommodation for some time to come. Recommendations were made in regard to alterations to certain fittings on the motor fire-engine so as to enable a more efficient working of the machine.

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