HOME-MADE PLANT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21957, 8 May 1941, Page 4

HOME-MADE PLANT

Fence “Livened” On Farm Water-wheel In Stock Race By altering a wooden flume and constructing a water wheel, a ratepayer in the Levels County provided the means of operating a generator and producing electricity to “liven” a fence on his farm. Hie work probably took him some time, but it has not found favour with the County Council, which yesterday decided to give him seven days in which to remove it. The matter was brought under the notice of the Council by the engineer (Mr A. R. Callander) who stated: “I have to report that a wood flume in the water race in Haselden’s property, Seadown, has been altered and the race deepened so that a water-wheel might be installed in the race. The water wheel is used to generate electricity to liven a fence. It is well-known that a shortage of electric energy threatens the South Island; but it is not thought to be so acute as to warrant the use of the Council's stockrace for the generation of hydroelectric power. In the circumstances, the Council is recommended to take

serious notice of this Interference with the stock-race. It is impossible to maintain a proper supply when unauthorised persons are continually tampering with the system. If an example were made possibly some improvement might accrue." The chairman (Mr T. B. Garrick); This is a very serious thing. Mr D. Grant: He did not even ask permission. The clerk (Mr G. B. Bird): We could not give him permission. According to the by-laws a man cannot even pitch a tent over a race. Why he might want to do that I don’t know.

The engineer said that the waterwheel looked as if it had been made by a plumber. It was set between two discs, attached to a rod. The crank consisted of a sprocket off a bicycle, and the contrivance was attached to the generator and away she went. Hie chairman: He is an ingenious sort of chap. Does he do any harm to the race? The engineer: Yes. The chairman: I rather admire a young man of that sort. The engineer said that the contrivance had been blocking the race, and the people lower down could not get a flow. Mr J. Scott: He Is breaking a lot of by-laws. It was agreed to serve notice on Mr Haselden to remove the ‘‘plant’’ within seven days.