THE HON D. BUDDO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10106, 18 March 1911, Page 7

THE HON D. BUDDO.

A BUSY DAY IN CHRISTCHURCH. The Hon D. Buddo, Minister of the Interior, arrived in Christchurch this morning, and spent a busy time receiving deputations. He will leave for Wellington this evening. THE ELLESMERE COUNTY. A deputation consisting of 'Messrs J. Storey (chairman of the Ellesmere Road Board), M. Dixon, J. Lochhead, J. S. Boag and J. Henderson waited on him in regard to dividing the now Ellesmere County. The Road Board, on behalf of residents, had communicated with the Minister, asking that the new county should consist of two wards, one including tho Southbridge town district and the other the rest of the district. . A petition was presented asking that the county should be divided into three distinct ridings, Invell, Leeston and Southbridge, the last to include tho Southbridge town district. Another, petition had been presented in favour of the Board's proposal. Mr G. Witty, M.P., was present at the interview. Mr/ Storry said that an undivided county would entail less cost and trouble in working. If the district was cut up there might be difficulty in regard to finding an outlet for a few of the water-races. There would probably bo difficulties, also, in adjusting the accounts. After discussing the position, Mr Buddo said that the Government would go carefully into it, and would adopt the scheme that would be most easily altered afterwards. The Government would specially consider the drainage question and the effect of drains on the properties of people on the lower grounds. Mr Storry also. stated that some time ago it had been arranged that tho Road Board should give a piece of land for the post office in exchange for a section in the back street, to be used as a pound, but the Government had not given as much as it had promised. Mr Buddo said that the complaint would bo considered if the position 'were stated in writing. THE HEATHCOTE COUNTY. Mr G. Scott asked that-arrangements should be made in order that tho election of the new Heathcote County Council should take place on April 4, the date fixed for the election of other counties. Mr Buddo promised to make tho arrangements if possible. INSPECTION OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS. A deputation consisting of Messrs H. S. Batchelor (chairman of tho Christchurch Fire Board), W. B. Mackenzie, C. Taylor and E. J. Righton complained that the Board was not allowed to maite a by-law to provide for periodical inspections of electrical installations in order to obviate danger from fire. Mr Batchelor said that it was wished that the Government should approve of t.bo Board's by-laws. There was, apparently, a regulation which prevented the reinspection of the installations, and those inspections were absolutely necessary. The Board had to protect life and property. It was thought when the Act was framed that the word " inspection " in it covered reinspections. Mr Buddo said that the question of maintenance had to be considered: It was understood when the clauses of the Act were drawn up that if the electrical •installations were efficient reinspection was hardly necessary. The installation was not to be used until it was inspected by an officer of tho Board. A legal opinion stated that the Board had no power to make reinspections, or charge a, fresh fee every year. According to that, only one inspection could be made, and only one fee charged.. ' Mr Batchelor said that in all parts of the world, it was found neoessary to make reinspections of electrical installations. In the Old Country large fires had occurred owing to deterioration of mstalations. It was known that some installations were a monace to life and property. If the Board could make only one, inspection, it might as well leave the thmg alone, as three months afterwards a complete change in an installation might be made. Mr Buddo said that ho thought that most of the owners would be pleased to have reinspections, but the Board was asking to be allowed to go back on all installations. Mr Batchelor said that periodical inspection _ was absolutely necessary. Motors might wear out and go on working until they caused a conflagration, but the Board had no power to inspect thorn, liie fees wero so small that they could not be a burden on the owners Air Lnddo said that he would take tno advice- or electrical experts, and now tar tho risks went. Ho was anxious to protect the public, and would seo it some practical way of dealing with tho subject could be found.