POWER LINE DAMAGE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 6

POWER LINE DAMAGE

Insurance For Crop Loss Public liability Insurance cover for farmers whose crops are damaged, often through fire, when power lines fall, was discussed at a meeting of the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board yesterday. “The board has a statutory right to run lines at the roadside,” said the secretarymanager (Mr V. G. Mason). “If there is negligence by the board’s ' servants, a farmer could claim damages under our public liability policy, which costs us £476 a year, with a £50,000 limit. “A few years ago, it was pointed out to us that some farmers allowed us to run lines across their land, and that we, in turn, should take out good-will insurance under which negligence does not have to be proved. We have a policy which pays out £5OO on any one claim. “There is no other form of cover for the board. Where there is no negligence, it is a matter for the farmer to have his own crop insurance.” Service lines were outside the scope of the policies, said the engineer-manager (Mr S. E. Slatter). The New Zealand Electricity Department had legal easements for its lines, and they were in a different position.

HAREWOOD. Foursome bogey: C. W. White and C. Douglas, 2 up; E. Bailey and C. Rose, 1 up: R. G. D. Twyneham and J. Wilton, 1 down.