INSPECTION OF MACHINERY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2285, 2 September 1908, Page 2

INSPECTION OF MACHINERY

A NEW BILL. (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, September 1. A now Bill in connection with tins inspecioii of machinery was circulated yesterday. There is a now definition of a boiler as follows: “Any boiler or vessel in which or by means’ of which steam is used or applied under pressure for any purpose.” The Government is empowered by Order-in-Council to declare that any specified kind of machinery shall cease to be subject to the Act. No hydraulic, electric, or other lift of any kind other -than a lift worked by hand may be worked unless it is in charge of a male not under 18 years of age. Notification of repairs or alterations to machinery as well as of boilers must be made to the inspector. To section 25 of the principal Act which makes it an olience tu increase the pressure of a boiler beyond that granted in the.certificate is added a provision imposing a penalty for the offence of a fine not exceeding £IOO. The glass waterguago fitted to boilers must bo suitably protected. With regard to steam turbines and stationary engines the following provisions arc proposed : (a) 15 horse-power and under 25 horse-power, a second-class certificated driver will bo required; (e) 25 horse-power or over a firstclass eugine driver must bo in charge. If an engine driver absents himself from his charge he is guilty of an offence. Power is given to the Inspector of Machinery to insist that in certain cases the boilers and engine shall be in charge of separate persons. When crank shafts are coupled the class of driver required will, bo determined with reference-to the combined circular inch area of the combined cylinders. No, one who has suffered the loss of a hand or a foot shall act as the driver of a locomotive,, steam engine, or winding engine. The penalty on the driver or emjdoyor is a fine not exceeding £5 a day. Another provision is that a certificate of service shall rank equally with a certificate of competency. Power is given' to the Minister to appoint a chairman and secretary of the Examining Boards under the Mining Acts. Another provision is that every applicant for examination must he .a British subject, and satisfy the Board that he can speak and write the English language sufficiently to be able to perforin the duties lie is required to perform as the holder of a certificate. The provision in the principal Act giving the Board power to grant or refuse a certificate upon any grounds it deems advisable is to be repealed. Proof service may in certain eases be given by statutory declaration. The Board is not t 0 issue a certificate unless the applicant proves that he is not wholly or partially deaf, nor has defective eyesight, nor is subject to any other infirmity likely to interfere with the efficient discharge of his duties.. Recognition is provided for railway locomotive drivers’ certificates, including those employed on the Manawatu railway or any British railway. The provisions of the principal Act relating to the employment of certificated engine drivers will not apply to any motor. The provisions of the Act with respect to the inspection of machinery and the granting of certificates will apply to all vehicles propelled by steam, ami to all motors of a weight over three tons. No vehicle driven by mechanical power which exceeds two tons in weight niav be driven by any person under the' age of 18 yea'rs. “Motor” means a vehicle propelled by its own mechanical power and so constructed as not to emit- smoke, steam or visible vapor except from any temporary or accidental cause. This provision is not to apply to any engine used on a Government railway or to anv veliicle used upon _ a tramway other than a steam engine.