ELECTRICAL FENCES

Grey River Argus, 28 May 1938, Page 7

ELECTRICAL FENCES

To Shock Stock ] APPROVAL WITHHELD. WELLINGTON, May 27. A recent report that the Franklin Electric Power Board had approved • of electric fences for stock, was commented upon by the Minister of Publie Works (Hon. R. Semple) to-day. ■ The Minister said that his Department was not yet satisfied as to the safety of operating fences charged with electricity, and it was unlikely that such fences operated from power 1 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 the holding up of any form of progress, he was not prepared to recommend the amend- , ments that will be necessary to the 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 stock a shock that would make the animals > keep away from the wire or wires., Such fences could be erected with considerable saving of wire and posts, but care would have to ue taken that a dangerous current was not used through accident or through 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.