ELECTRIFIED FENCES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 207, 30 May 1938, Page 10

ELECTRIFIED FENCES

Department’s Doubts As To Safety

A recent, report that the Franklin Electric Power Board had approved of electric fences for stock was commented upon by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple. The Minister said his department was not yet satisfied as to the safety of fences charged with electricity, and it was unlikely that such /fences operated from power mains would be permitted for some time to come. At present they appeared to be contrary to the electrical regulations, and while he was anxious to avoid holding up any form of progress, he was not prepared to recommend the amendments that would be necessary to existing regulations to permit such fences until he was satisfied that the fences could be operated without risk to human beings. The question was being investigated and would be given full consideration. It is understood that the proposed electrified fences would carry a low voltage, sufficient to give a shock that would make animals keep away from wire or wire£ .Such fences could be erected with a considerable saving of wire and posts, but care would have to be taken that st dangerous current was not used through accident, or faulty handling. Electrified fences were used around some prison compounds during the war, but they have not been used as stock fences in New Zealand.