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Wanganui. Inspection, Ist March, 1928. Two officers and twenty-one firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. A strong contingent of officers and members of the Volunteer Fire Police Corps were also on parade. The various inspection drills were carried out in a smart and efficient manner, and station and all equipment were found in first-class order. A workshop has been erected, but requires furnishing with certain machinery to utilize it to advantage. The present station-site, in accordance with present ideas, is already congested, and previous recommendations are repeated in regard to purchase of additional land. Through want of foresight in this matter quite a number of Fire Boards have found in the past, and some at the present moment are finding acquirement of land adjoining their fire-stations a costly matter, hence the previous recommendations to the Wanganui Fire Board for purchase of certain property adjoining the present central-station site. Wellington. All stations, appliances, and other equipment were found in proper order. There has been a large expenditure on capital account in the Wellington Fire District during the past year, principally for two new substations erected and placed in commission—one in Miramar, having two sets of married quarters, &c., the other in Brooklyn, with three sets of married quarters, &c. Major additions to equipment include two 40-45 h.p. motor combination fire-engines fitted with 300/350 g.p.m. turbine pumps, first-aid pumping outfit, ladder, &c. ; also two commercial chassis purchased, and bodies built thereon locally, to serve as hose-arid-ladder tenders. Westpobt. Inspection, Bth February, 1928. One officer and sixteen firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. In my observation the members of the brigade are an active and willing body of men, but during the course of the required inspection drills it was clearly evident that more regular drill and instruction is necessary to attain the efficiency expected from a smart brigade. Attendance at the six fire calls averaged 67-6 per cent, of the total strength. Failing installation of a proved and reliable street fire-alarm system, a suggestion was made that an electric fire-alarm siren, having a direct wire connected with the telephone exchanged, be installed. Whangabei. Inspection, 7th December, 1927. Two officers and eleven firemen were in attendance at the inspection muster. The inspection drills were carried out in a smart and satisfactory manner, and the station and appliances were in good order. Attendance at fourteen general fire calls averaged 66-7 per cent, of the total membership. A4B h.p. motor first-aid ladder-and-hose tender has been added to the equipment. Minor recommendations were made in my report to the Board.

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