Manawatu and District Electricians’ Association

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 290, 8 December 1936, Page 4

Manawatu and District Electricians’ Association

The monthly meeting of the above association was held on Saturday, December 5. Those present included the following:—Messrs J. Walker, P. J. Kirklaad, E. P. Wix, P. O’Connell, A, L. Haynes, J. Lennon, W. C. Cantlon, J. Jamieson, E. M. Anderson, E. W. Pinfold, H. Watt, J. M. Townsley, C. E. Taylor, J. F. Bryce, M. A. Cantlon, S. Leader, R. B. Toomath, A. F. Topic, E. Whitehead and P. V. Burns (secretary), all of Palmerston North; Mr N. A. Nash, Daunevirke; Messrs T. J. Billinghurst, S. Cowley, W. B. Alexander, E. Peters and J. D. Workman, of Wanganui; Messrs Y. -B. Pitman, A. N. Svenson, L. Whitehead, Y. D. Stowart, M. R. Pearson, A. J. Geary, of Feilding. Mr J. Walker (president) extended a cordial welcome to all present, expressing the appreciation of the local branch to those present from the Wanganui Association and Dannevirke.

After discussion, it was decided to adopt the recommendation sent forward by the executive, that apprentices be admitted to the association as associate members on payment of ss, without the right to vote. It was mentioned during tho evening that m the Taranaki and Wanganui districts tho electrical' engineers had manifested very keen interest in the association, and it' was hoped that in a very short time there would be associations formed right throughout flew Zealand, as it was just beginning to bo understood what an important part the electrician' occupied in the ' community generally. During the evening Messrs Jamieson and Meredith, of the P.W.D., gave very interesting lectures, which were of considerable educational value to all those present. . > :

Mr Jamieson took as his subject, "Arcs and Sparks," and explained in a very concise manner and also demonstrated with electrical apparatus tho difference between arcs and sparks and their phenomena. The action of a circuit breaker in relation to the variation of current and voltago in an arc was explained by the lecturer, who also dealt with the mechanism of arc formation.

Mr Meredith took as his subject the effect of arcs and sparks on radio reception. Ho said at the outset that in radio interference there were many factors to contend with,’ but the greatest and most vital of them all was manmade: that is, those caused by the genius of man in the electrical world. He dealt very fully with tho uso of condensors, choke coils, and condenser and resistance and their application to radio interference. The lecturer explained also the method of complete screening, where high frequency currents were generated. After an enjoyable supper, questions were answered by Messrs Jamieson and Meredith, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the . lecturers, visitors and chair.