“WIRING UP”

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11784, 21 March 1924, Page 4

“WIRING UP”

QUESTION OF LICENSES INTERESTING QUESTION BEFORE * HUTT POWER BOARD. A PROBLEM TO SOLVE. The technical committee of the Hutt Valley Power Board recommended to the meeting of the board yesterday in connection with wiremen’s licenses that all wiremen who had been temporarily licensed by the board should be required to sit for exammation within one month from March 31st. All future applicants were to be granted temporary licenses (provided their credentials were satisfactory) and required to sit for examination within a mouth after the termination of such license. The examining board to consist of a fire undertakers’ representative, an engineers’ representative and a member of the Power Board. IF THEY FAIL TO PASS? Mr W. T. Cotton asked what would be the position of a man who held a Wellington City Council license and had done reticulating work all through tlie valley, but who might not be to pass the board’s examination. Was the work he had already done to be condemned, although it had been passed by the inspector? Mr Jay explained that their past work would not be condemned, but they would not be allowed to do new work under the hoard until they had passed the necessary examinations. Mr Cotton: What I want to know is, why, if these men’s work is good enough for the Wellington City Council, it ig not good enough for us. Mr Jay explained that up to the present time the city council wireraen had not worked on the three phase system, which was the one to be adopted in future, and if they allowed unauthorised men to make installations, the Underwriters’ Association could not grant insuranoes. A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM.

Mr Barber said it was a very great pity that the Government did not- take the matter up, and adopt a universal system of licenses. It was very annoying for a tradesman in Wellington who had done good work there, to come out to a little place like the Hutt Valley and have this work condemned. Mr J. W. McEwan: It ig not we who condemn him#; this is the Underwriters’ Association. The report was. adopted.