ELECTRIC WIRING.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1924, Page 4

ELECTRIC WIRING.

EVIDENCE AT FIRE ENQUIRY. AUCKLAND, June lfi Interesting evidence regarding electrical installations was given at an enquiry, before -Mr Hunt, SAL, into ibe recent lire at the City -Markets. F. F. (iilmbur, electrical inspector for the Underwriters’ Association, after describing the condition of the fittings after the fire, was crossexamined by Air Ostler, for all the insurance companies in the Dominion except the State Departments. Mr Ostler: The regulations cast the onus on the licensee—in this case the I'ower Roard—to see that the rules of the Underwriters’ Association are followed when making an installation?— Yes. •'1 do not consider if a wise policy,” continued witness, “that the public should be encouraged to mend fuses on their own installations. It is a job that should be done by the expert. 1 have seen homo-made fuses of nails, pennies, hairpins, and blades ol table hMiives.” Air Ostler (reading from a pamphlet issued bv the Power Hoard): Every bouse should have some spare fuse wire, and every housewife should know how to put new wire in the fuse on (he .switchboard when the lights fail. A si; our meter readers to show you lmw to do it. 1s that good information r—No. In answer to Air Ostler, dealing with the danger of ’electrocution, witness said that the lowest voltage known to have electrocuted a man was 7Jr. tn lf.'A'i, in witness's own district, there wore fires from electrical sources, the damage amounting to .Clii,ooo. F. Tt. Shepherd, chief electrical insnector for New Zealand for the Associat on, stated that in his opinion the lire had an electrical source, and was caused by delects in the system. "Witness had seen other defects, and considered it grava impropriety on the part of the linesmen concerned. The fire would have been avoided had inspections boon carried out as laid down in the Public "Works Act. Tbe installation should have been inspected before being connected with the current, and thru inspected frequently. A rigid system of licensing electrical linesmen should also be followed. To Air Ostler: From IDOd to I!W2 Ihw number of fatal accidents from electrical causes was fit), and the number nf accidents fil. A large number of those bad been caused oil household installations, fn the list showing the number of fires from electrical sources in tin- Dominion Auckland stood firsr. rile general rules for wiring were intended to contain only such requirements and precautions as were generally necessary, and not to instruct untrained persons, file l nderwriters* Association would not bo equally to blame with tbe Power Hoard in regard to faulty installation being passed. 'Hie underwriters’ inspectors did not inspect every installation. That would need an army of inspectors, and there was no statutory obligation on tile Underwriters’ Association to do so. With regard to periodical inspection after installation, mm* a year might he advisable for a factory, and once in five years might be sufficient in tbe

case of a private house. Sidney Kblridgo Ixemiings, chief engineer to the Kleeiriral Depart men t in A. and T. Hurt, saiil'there' was a I'eelill*_r ill' uneasiness among reputable firms coiis('<|Ueiit "ii complaints ol faulty wiring. as it placed them under suspicion, and also because the extra cost of supervision must be borne by them. They sought a \vsteni of inspection. Tile Power Hoard was helping to a certain extent by the issue of licenses through its l.ironsiug Hoard. Decision was reserved.