K 25
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE FIRE BRIGADE.
1. The sub-joined report of the Assistant Engineer and Station Officer gives details of the working of the Fire Brigade during the year.
2. During the year a number of old firemen returned from leave and rejoined the Brigade. Throughout the year the number of applications to join the Brigade has been in excess of the vacancies.
3. The Volunteer Fire Brigade (European) ceased to exist on February 24th. This section had attained a high degree of efficiency and performed very valuable service during the War. It was no longer required after the return of the European Firemen who had been on War Service.
4. A report on the working of the Motor Ambulance is attached. This vehicle has proved a constant source of expense during the year, owing to the chassis not being equal to the work required of it. Two new Motor Ambulances are on order from England.
5. The conduct of the Brigade has been satisfactory.
6. Towards the end of the year the Chamber of Commerce made representations to the Government on the question of the efficiency of the Brigade to safeguard property in the Colony and the matter of re-organizing the Brigade is under consideration.
7. I also enclose copy of a report by the Engineer on the state of the Fire Brigade.
E. D. C. WOLFE,
Superintendent of Fire Brigade.
Annexe C.
Sir,-I submit the following report on the general working of the Fire Brigade for the year ending 31st December, 1920:-
Fires.
1920 1919 Increase Decrease Fires, 27 22 Small Fires,... 59 65 Chimney Fires, 11 12 1 Harbour Fires, 4 6 2 False Alarms, Actual number of calls 108 17 Total Estimated damage... $157,897 $1,041,568$1,199,465
There were two serious fires:--
One at Aberdeen on 21st February, 1920. One at Kennedy Town on 3rd February, 1920,