PROTECTION OF POLES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5198, 2 November 1927, Page 2

PROTECTION OF POLES.

GUARD AGAINST BROKEN WIRES.

BOARQ SEEKS REGULATIONS.

The question of the liability of the supply authority through electrocution of stock caused by falling service lines was further discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board.

The matter was introduced by the receipt of a. letter from the chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department with reference to two cows having been killed at Mangaiti by broken wires caused by cattle rubbing on the poles. The department understood that stops had been taken to wrap barbed wire round all poles likely to be subjected to cattle rubbing against them, and it required tp know if the idea had been abandoned. The matter- was referred to the engineer to forward a reply. It was thought by Mr J. Price that, the department should be requested to insert an additional clause in the regulations giving supply authorities power to insist on consumers whose properties carried service lines provide adequate protection from damage by cattle to the polejs. He moved to that effect.

In seconding, Mr Thomas said that to place barbed wire round the poles was not always a sufficient protect’on. In places where stock were crowded together, such as near a gateway, some other mqans of protecting the. poles would be necessary. The engineer (Mr McLeod)) said that the matter was one which, would come forward for discussion at the forthcoming Electrical Engineers’ Conference. There was a. wide diversity of opinion as to wha|t constituted dangerous poles. The board had barbed wired a number of poles in the Mangaiti section, and other localities would be undertaken as opportunity and finance permitted. In reply to Mr McCormick the engineer said that it wps not the intention of the board to protect power poles situated on public road sides. After a brief discussion the resolution was carried.