OIL BNGINES ON THE FARM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1539, 7 September 1912, Page 8

OIL BNGINES ON THE FARM.

EXEMPTION FROM INSPECTION REFUSED. Keplying to tho secretary of (die Dominion Conference- of the FaTmers' Union in regard to tho request of tho conferenco that oilengines on farms should bo exempted from inspection, tho Hon. I , '. M. B. Fisher, Minister in ohargo of the Inspection of. Machinery Department, says:—" "The representations of Hie union have been carefully considered, but 1 would point out that to grant tho exemption desired would lead to many engines being worked in a dangerous condition, ami without tho guarding necessary to protect the persons working in their vicinity, or those who may for any reason bo near such engines. "Women and children are frequently about such engines, and thenmachinery, and if no steps are taken to see that everything is in safe condition, accidents would no doubt occur, lhose employed on farms are seldom experts in the use of machinery, and accidents would probably occur" more frequently in connection with unguarded tarm machinery not constantly in use, than in connection with otter classes of machinery which are used continuously. During tho last threo years 318 defects have been discovered in connection with the machinery attached to oil-engines, and if these defects had not been discovered and rectified, accidents to life and Jimb would no doubt have resulted. So far as the inspection fees is concerned, I would point out that most of the oil-engines in use on farms are of small power, and the annual inspection tee lor engines not exceeding five horse power is only 2s. 6d. In view of the risk involved in the working of this class of niaohinery, I regret that I am unable to see my way to authorise the exemption ot oil-engines on farms for annual inspection."