ELECTRICIANS MEET

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 85, 12 June 1946, Page 8

ELECTRICIANS MEET

INTEREST IN WHAKATANE N.Z. INSTITUTE BRANCH Of recent months, at the instigation of Messrs. Scragg, Drubie and Lysaght, there has been formed in Whakatane a strong branch of the above-mentioned Institute, the objects of which are primarily (a) To advance the science and knowledge of Electrical Engineering. (b) To encourage and facilitate the dissemination of professional knowledge among the members by means of lectures, discussions and other suitable means. (c) To create and maintain a spirit of co-operation and goodwill among the members. (d) To provide matters of interest and to encourage the studies of Electrical Apprentices. e) To strive in every way possible to further the activities of the Institute. (f) To conduct the business of the branch on a non-political, non-sec-retarian and non-industrial basis. The minimum number of members required to form a branch is twelve and at the present time the Whakatane branch consists- of 18 registered members and five associate apprentice members. The patron is Mr J. D. Dicker, EngineerManager of the Bay of Plenty Power Board; the President, Mr F. Lysaght, Borough Electrical Engineer; the Vice-president, Mr R. Combes, Electrical Engineer of the Whakatane Paper Mills, and Secretary, Mr R. Oxenham. These officers are supported by the following committee: Messrs. V. Haynes, H. Drube, G. Markland, D. Scragg and T. Hurndell and Mr H. Warren was appointed Auditor.

The parent body consisting of the Institute Council meets in Wellington and is closely associated with the electrical trade, the N.Z. Manufacturers Association, Fire Underwriters and the Electrical Branch of the Government Department. The Institute possesses a 16 mm. sound film projector which is available for the use of branches together with the Education Department and trade films. Branches have already been formed in a number of the leading towns and districts in New Zealand and others are in the process of being formed. The initial meeting of the Whakatane Branch was held on February 14 of this year and at the meeting held on May 8 Mr F. G. Gilmour and Mr Airs of Wellington visited Whakatane, when Mr Gilmour gave an interesting talk on the formation of a oranch, and also discussed points of interest from new regulations and registration at present undergoing discussion in Wellington. In addition, Mr Gilmour made reference to the equipment and appliances now being manufactured in Christchurch. His address was listened to with interest and at the close of the meeting thanks were expressed to the visitor for his address.

On May 30, after the branch business was completed, Mr G. W. Markland of the staff of the Whakatane Paper Mills, gave an able lecture of over an hour’s duration on “The Variable Speed Three Phase Commutator Motor,” illustrated by diagrams. In various industries as at the Whakatane Paper Mills, it is necessary to have motors with speed regulation to drive different types of machinery. In most cases too, it is desirable that the speed be stable irrespective of load alteration. This can be achieved in different ways but the lecturer claimed that this type of motor was the most economical and satisfactory way of dealing with this problem and proceeded to illustrate and prove his contention after having fully dealt with the construction and operation of the motor. A motion of thanks was passed for the very interesting lecture given by Mr Markland.