DAMAGE TO POLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21938, 23 October 1934, Page 8

DAMAGE TO POLES

DANGER FROM LIVE WIRES DUTIES OF MOTORISTS y The desirability of having some compulsion on drivers who damage electricity, supply poles and wires to report the damage immediately to the proper authority was emphasised in a letter from the Nelson Automobile Association received at the last meeting of the executive committee of the South Island Motor Union. The letter said that the matter had been brought to the notice of the association by the city electrical engineer and the chief electrical engineer of Wellington, who considered that it should be included in the motor regulations rather than in the electrical supply regulations. The letter suggested that damage to public or private property should bo reported in the same way as accidents causing ph3 Y sical injury. There had been cases, it was stated, where power lines had been left in a most dangerous condition, and the driver had made no attempt to communicate with anyone to have the matter righted or the danger removed. In one recent case the wires were left in such a condition that it was a marvel that no one was killed. It took a day and a-half to'-trace the culprit. The president, Mr. F. W. Johnston, said he thought it was a good suggestion to report damage to public property, but the reference to private property could well be left for future consideration. It was decided to reply that the union considered that provision should be made under the appropriate statute making it obligatory for the drivers of all vehicles to report any damage done to electrical or telegraphic equipment.