PATEA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1928, Page 13

PATEA NEWS

NEW WIRING REGULATIONS. CRITICISM BY THE COUNCIL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The borough electric engineer’s report submitted at the last meeting of the Patea Borough Council contained the following passages: —A very low head ot water was maintained at the hydro dam up to February 24, when the rain on that date increased the head considerably, but not sufficiently to enable the load to be carried without the assistance of the Diesel plant. The latter was run for 172 hours during February and the units generated by both plants totalled 20,686. Repairs to high tension lines at ’both hydro and Diesel plants have been carried out. The bare wire in Dorset Street has been replaced with regulation insulated cable and several house services renewed. Service leads have been run to one house in Norfolk Street and three lighting points installed. The rewiring of the council buildings in Egmont Street is almost completed. Several meters have been tested and repaired and other minor alterations carried out. As a result of a visit by the Public Works electrical inspector it is necessary for all outside line work to be altered and renewed as called for in the most recent regulations gazetted in 1927. The report referred to that portion of the new regulations dealing with house-wiring and stated that in many cases the standard now required could be obtained only by a complete new installation. Thus the consumers concerned will be faced with the choice of completely renewing their installations at their own expense, or being disconnected from the service.

The engineer predicted many disconnections unless financial assistance was forthcoming, as he was bound to carry out the regulations or render his license liable to endorsement. The loss of revenue to the council through disconnections might thus become appreciable. Following the submission of the report a discussion took place, many councillors expressing great displeasure at the new regulations, as apparently they had no guarantee that further new regu-

lations 'would make the proposed wire obsolete.

Cr. Christensen, speaking against the regulations, said, “The present position is due to hasty legislation,” “Legislation by regulation,” interposed the mayor, Mr. P. 8. Finlayson. Cr. Christensen said a protest should be made against the proposal to have the work carried out in 12 months. It was decided to leave the matter of outside wiring in the engineer’s hands to report at the next meeting. LAWN TENNIS. On Saturday last, in perfect weather, the Patea tennis club held a handicap doubles Yankee tournament. The games were well contested and the organisers (Mr. T. Roberts, W. G. Jones and N. Glenny) are to be congratulated upon providing an excellent day’s play. The tournament was won by Mies M. Besley and Mr. Ryan with a score of 207 points, and Mrs. Roberts and Mr. Guy Corbett were runners-up with 206 points.

The detailed results are:—Whittington and Miss fiourke (45) 136—181; Whitehead and Miss J. Sheild (scr.) 168 —net 168; Herbert and Miss Boagey (65) 134—199; B. Sheild and Miss Carey (30) 155—185; W. F. Sheild and Miss W. Hemingway (10) 166—176; Bradmore and Miss R. Honeyfleld (55) 147 195; Shaw and Miss Derrett (10) 190— 200; Besley and Miss Thompson (20) 151—171; Corbett and Mrs. Roberts (30) 176—206; Ray and Miss 8. Roberts (70) 102—172; J. Clarkson and Miss Corbett (65) 130—195; Jenkins and Miss Hurley 202; Edwards and Miss Glenny (50) 145 Sheild (50) 149—199; Ryan and Miss Besley (65) 142—207; Mrs. Whitehead and Miss Hamerton (45) 150—195 (70) 108—178; Gibson and Miss V. Jaekson and Miss Adams (85) 94 —179.