H.—l2.

In September last a Volunteer Fire Police Corps consisting of fifty prominent citizens was organized, and this corps has since rendered valuable assistance to the brigade and city generally. With six motor appliances and other plant to be maintained in good order the brigade should be provided with a properly equipped workshop. For the purpose of providing necessary additional married quarters I have again recommended purchase of the cottage adjoining the central station. Wellington. Inspections of the Wellington Fire Brigade, its stations and equipment, were made on the 13th and 17th June, 1927. The personnel generally are apparently of good physique, active and smart in their drill movements. Certain drills were carried out at the several stations in an efficient manner, and all stations, with their equipment and residential quarters, were in good order. Stations : At the central station more married quarters are necessary. The Thorndon station is well situated, but the engine-house should be reconstructed on the Pipitea Street frontage. The sites recently purchased for new substations at Wadestown, Northland, Brooklyn, and Miramar, are well situated in regard to the fire risks of their respective districts, but erection of a substation on the suggested Adelaide Road site raises the question as to the policy of the Board in regard to the relative situations of the proposed new station and the Constable Street station. Equipment: The then-present motor fire-machine equipment was quite inadequate, and the body of the central station first-call motor is badly designed for its purpose ; but delivery of the two new fire-motors on order should enable some readjustment in that respect. The present street fire-alarm system, installed over twenty-six years ago, has served its purpose ; and, whilst a few of the box movements more recently installed are an improvement on the older instruments, the whole system is out-of-date and unreliable for service in a city the size and with the characteristics of Wellington. Westport. Inspection, 16th March, 1927. Two officers and fifteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection parade. The various inspection drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner ; there was considerable improvement in that respect, and further instruction was given in the standardized drills. Attendance at the six fire calls averaged 80-5 per cent, of the total strength—a good record. Two matters requiring the prompt attention of the Board are the better lighting of the fire-station and provision of a street fire-alarm system. Other minor recommendations were made in my report to the Board. Whangarei. Inspection, 13th December, 1926. There was an attendance of two officers and twelve firemen at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out satisfactorily, and the station and equipment were found in good order. Attendance at seven fire calls averaged 70-3 per cent, of the total membership of the brigade. In view of the enlarged borough boundaries, and the number of new buildings erected within the last two or three years, the present motor hose-and-ladder tender, which has been in commission for some seven years, has served its purpose,' and is not now equal to requirements, and the brigade should be provided with a more powerful and faster machine.

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