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Hamilton. Inspection, 10th May, 1927. Two officers and twenty-two firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a most efficient manner, and the station and appliances were found in first-class order. The attendance at twenty-six general alarms averaged 804 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a good record. A volunteer Fire Police Corps has been organized, and will without doubt prove a valuable factor in fire-prevention matters in Hamilton. As in years past, I have again to comment upon the very inadequate water-supply for fireextinction purposes obtaining in Hamilton, with the possibility of very serious fire loss in consequence. Also, I have again to recommend purchase of a site for erection of a fire-station in the Frankton section of the town. Hastings. Inspection, 24th February, 1927. Two officers and sixteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in an efficient manner, and the station and equipment were in first-class order. Attendance at the twenty-nine general alarms averaged 70-5 per cent, of the total membership —a fair record. During the year a street fire-alarm, system has been installed, consisting of four circuits and thirty call-boxes ; also, the Dennis motor has been fitted with a first-aid pump outfit. Haweba. Inspection, 23rd November, 1926. Two officers and seventeen firemen, the full strength of the brigade, were in attendance at the inspection muster. The required inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and the station plant and all equipment were found in good order and condition. Attendance at fifteen general alarms averaged 60-5 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade. Alterations in the reticulation and provision of a, sump at the corner of High and Albion Streets has materially improved the supply of water for fire-extinction purposes. Hokitika. Inspection, 18th March, 1927. Two officers and twenty-two firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and instruction was given in the standardized drills. The several hose-reel stations were found in good order and condition. Attendance at the nine fire calls averaged 93 per cent, of the total membership—a very good record. A Volunteer Fire Police Corps has been formed in Hokitika, and is proving of great assistance to the brigade. Inveecaegill. Inspection, 12th January, 1927. One officer and sixteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a very creditable manner, and great improvement in the brigade personnel was apparent ; the brigade, however, was still numerically weak, and the authorized strength should be increased to not less than twenty-five all told. The newly erected central fire-station, officially opened in October last, is well designed and built, and commodious enough to meet the requirements of Invercargill for many years to come. Subject to the remark that the Thornycroft motor is old and showing signs of wear, the equipment was in good working-order. Provision of a more suitable type of fire-escape ladder is necessary. The water-supply for fire-extinction purposes in Invercargill is still in a very unsatisfactory state, and calls for prompt steps being taken to remedy the serious position in that respect. Kaiapoi. Inspection, 22nd March, 1927. Two officers and ten firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. Certain drill was carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. Instruction in squad drill was given, and several matters requiring attention pointed out. Attendance at the twelve general alarms averaged 66 per cent, of the total membership. Kaitangata. Inspection, 14th January, 1927. One officer and six firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade—under the circumstances a creditable muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, but the motor first-aid and hose tender is not proving a satisfactory appliance. The body design is not suitable, and the material of which it is constructed is too flimsy for such a purpose ; also, the first-aid pump fittings are faulty in design. A recommendation was made that the body be entirely remodelled and constructed of more substantial material; also, the first-aid pumping outfit to be remodelled and an hydraulic hose-reel fitted. Lawbence. Inspection, 19th January, 1927. One officer and seven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. Instruction was given, and certain inspection drills were carried out. The station and equipment were found in good order. Sections of the water-main, then recently cut out, showed the pipes of the borough reticulation to be in a very dangerous condition from a fire-extinction point of view, and this calls for prompt action, otherwise serious results are to be anticipated.

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