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Nos. 2 and Motor Appliances received a general overhaul at the Kowloon Canton Railway workshops during which the former was fitted with an electric lighting set to replace the old acetylene lamps, and No. 7 Appliance a new (sheet iron) body to replace the heavy wooden body that had formerly been fitted to it. Both Appliances were repainted.
Nos. 1 and 2 Motor Ambulances were overhauled and repainted at the Kowloon Canton Railway workshops. The opportunity was taken to have the exterior of the Ambulances painted white, this being considered more suitable than the former (blue) colour.
No. 1 Motor Lorry was fitted with a new engine (obtained from Home) to replace the original engine whose cylinders had become much worn, but after a few months use a broken gear wheel, a broken differential pinion, and worn wheel chains necessitated its removal to the Workshops where it still remains pending the arrival of spare parts from Home.
No. 10 Motor First-aid Tender was fitted with a geared drive to 1st aid pump to replace an unsuitable friction drive that had been originally fitted by the Makers. As a result of a collision in which the front axle was bent and the fore springs broken, this Appliance was out of commission for one month while repairs were being executed.
No. 800 car. Owing to broken differential gear this car was out of commission from February till May.
The 2 new Motor Trailer Pumps, supplied during the year, were allocated to Un Long, (New Territories) and to Shaukiwan respectively to replace hand-drawn Land Steam Fire Engines. The latter, although in good condition and very serviceable for Dockyards, or Factories, that already have hydrants and cover only a small area, were not considered suitable for the requirements of the Fire Brigade Department.
The new Fire Float was successfully launched on the 12th December. Its construction will probably be completed by March 1926.
Fire Inspection Work shows a return of 54 Buildings, Theatres, and Cinema Halls inspected and reported upon, together with recommendations for installing 22 Hydrant fire services and structural additions or alterations to 36 different buildings. As a result of Fire Inspection Work during the past 3 years, most of the important buildings in the Colony have had hydrant fire services installed in them and structural alterations made thereby materially reducing the danger of incipient fires. Chemical extincteurs have been provided in a number of buildings of Public entertainment, hotels, clubs, garages, and large business premises: In each case, where fire has occurred in any building in the Colony where hydrant fire services or extincteurs have been installed as