H.—l2.

Port Chalmers. An inspection visit was paid on the 15th January, 1927, but, with the exception of the Superintendent and two firemen, there was no attendance of the brigade, consequently there was no inspection of the personnel. The station and equipment were found in good order. A recommendation was made that the present motor first-aid hose-and-ladder tender be replaced by a more powerful machine. PuKEKOHE. Inspection, 9th May, 1927. Two officers and ten firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade—-a full muster. The various inspection drills were carried out in a creditable manner, and in that respect show a decided improvement since my last inspection. The working equipment was found in good order. Attendance at eleven general alarms averaged 60-2 per cent, of the total membership. A site for a new central fire-station has been purchased, and erection of the station, as also provision of a more efficient street fire-alarm system, should be expedited. Rotorua. Inspection, Bth November, 1926. Two officers and fourteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a very satisfactory and efficient manner. The station and equipment were in first-class order. During the last couple of years a large number of houses have been built in the south-western portion of the town, with more buildings in course of erection. The reticulation and water-supply for protection of property there situated is inadequate to a dangerous degree, and the situation calls for prompt attention. Taumarunui. Inspection, Bth February, 1927. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and instruction was given in the standardized squad drill. The station and equipment were in good order. Attendance at the thirteen fire calls averaged 70-8 per cent, of the total membership—a fair rec'ord. The present motor hose-and-ladder tender has been in use over seven years ; it has quite served its purpose, and a recommendation was made that it be replaced by a machine of greater horse-power and more modern equipment; also that six fire-alarm call-points be installed. Tauranga. Inspection, 10th November, 1926. Two officers and twelve firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner, and the station and equipment were in good order. Attendance at seven fire calls averaged 80-4 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a good record. The Fire Board has finally decided to instal a street fire-alarm system in Tauranga. The reticulation and water-supply for fire-extinction purposes is in a very unsatisfactory state, and becoming more so. There are quite a number of the streets in the northern part of the town, such as Brown, Mission, and Chapel Streets, &c., in which there are no fire-mains laid down ; this also applies to a number of the cross-streets in the southern portion of Cameron Road. Altogether, conditions in that respect call for immediate attention. Te Aroha. Inspection, 10th May, 1927. One officer and fourteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster ; these, with the Superintendent on leave, represented the total strength of the brigade. The inspection drills were not carried out in the most satisfactory manner. Attendance at the eleven fire calls averaged 90 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade—a very good record. Some of the branches and nozzles in use are most defective, and they should be replaced. I had to again report to the Board that the present extension ladder is dangerous for use as a fire-ladder. The street fire-hydrant indicators in some of the central parts of the town were in a most neglected condition —missing altogether in some cases ; also, the hydrants require attention. This is a serious matter, and calls for prompt action. Te Awamutu. First inspection of the Te Awamutu Fire District, its brigade, station, and equipment, was made on the 7th and Bth December, 1926. The brigade personnel are apparently an active, willing body of men, but numerically weak, and the authorized strength should be raised to not less than fifteen. The station, of concrete, is well situated, and provides sufficient accommodation for present requirements, but some extra internal fittings are required. Equipment: The motor tender is suitable and in good running-order, but the stock of|fire-hose is dangerously low; also, provision of first-aid appliances, such as hand-pumps and chemical

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