N.Z. LEADS WORLD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2766, 24 August 1931, Page 8

N.Z. LEADS WORLD.

IN OFFICIAL REGULATIONS. ELECTRICAL WIRING DISCUSSED Reporting to the Matamata Chamber of Commerce last Monday night on the new electric wiring regulations, Mr E. Fielder, of the Thames Valley Power Board’s engineering staff, said that the proposals meant more inspectors. New Zealand already had mpre regulations dealing with electrical wiring than any country in the world, and he did not think the proposed regulations would on the whole improve conditions. Mr Little asked what was the object of the new regulations, and the speaker replied that he could hardly say, but he knew his board had a shelf full of interpretations of previous regulations. (Laughter.) Some regulations were very necessary, as certain articles like patent water - boilers-were often dangerous. A Morrinsville man had caught’hold of one, which ■ was badly insulated, and also the top, and could not let go. It was only his weight in falling which saved his life. In regard to fittings, regulations were necessary. -He did not know which was the greater evil, too many regulations or too few. The onus was always put on the wiremen and the I compilers of the regulations seemed tb think that a wireman was an electrical engineer and a lawyer combined', and would understand them. He was an inspector himself, and knew that such were given the power to take a man’s living away if, for instance, he put in a red wire instead of a black wire. •- , Mr A. E. Wrigley said previously each borough council had their own examination and set of rules, and when anyone went from one tewn to another, they had to learn their trade all over again. Further each engineer had his own fads, and fancies. He had once answered an examination without one practical question and got his licence. He, thus, might have been incompetent as a practical man for all the examiner knew. From this point of view the regulations had done good, and wiremen . themselves welcomed them. When they came out, however, they got a shock, for to-day wiremen were not allowed to use their own knowledge, but had to do as they were told. Some of the regulations were simply pin-pricking rules, while others were very, necessary. Many regulations made life a misery in trying to keep up with them. Mr Fielder said that insulators were supposed to be tested twice a year, and*the Matamata inspection was now being carried out. He moved—- “ That, in the opinion of the Chamber, the draft of the revision of the 1927 regulations, if carried in the present form, were not in the interests of the public or the trade.” Mr Wrigley seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.