Power Lines And Radio Interference

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1948, Page 8

Power Lines And Radio Interference

WESTPORT, October 6.

The Borough Electrical Engineer, Mr. T. A. Dobson, presented a special report to the Westport Borough Council on statements, which had been made, that the lines in the Borough Council’s licensed area are falling down and to prove that this was neither fail - nor correct.

'Phe report stated:— “During the last four days of September, very severe winds were experienced with much rain (which has been a great advantage to the lake. Over that period, out of 1,800 consumers, there was only one whose lights were affected for approximately half an hour, caused through the high wind swinging a line and blowing a pole fuse. I would like to see where a better service is given to consumers than that given by the Council throughout its reticulated area, and it is neither fair nor just that these reports should be made. I am sure that if any consumer has a fault everything is done to see that, the person or persons concerned are not left without light for any lengthy period, and sometimes it is not altogether pleasant to do this.”

CONSUMERS’ RESPONSIBILITY. “While on the subject of service, much has also been stated with reference to radio interference. The first thing that must be borne in mind is that the supply authority, such as the Borough Council, has not the sole responsibility of rectifying radio interference. Any consumer has the same responsibility as the Council to rectify interference which may be caused "by motors, shavers, vacuum cleaners, bad contact in house switches, holders, toasters, irons, and many ‘ other appliances that are used in the household. It has also been stated by listeners that as soon as they tune their set to a desired station, interference commences, (more especially on a Saturday). The electric line does not play tricks such as that. It is possible that some person who is ignorant of the fact, may have a set in that locality which is oscillating. I do not suggest that any sane person would operate a set of this nature if he was aware of the interference it was causing.

“Much has been done and I hope will continue "to be done, with the co-operation of the people, the P. & T. Radio Inspector and the staff, which we have, in trying to track down radio interference, but I must once again point out that it is not solely a Borough Council job. Therefore every person who has a complaint to make should make that complaint to the Post Office.”