THAMES VALLEY POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5248, 7 March 1928, Page 1

THAMES VALLEY POWER.

DOINGS OF THE MONTH.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The following was submitted by the engineer, Mr N. G. McLeod, in a report to yesterday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric P°wer Board : “Kailiere-Patetonga.— 1011 account of more consumers demanding power the gang in this district could not complete their work until February. 24'. The consumers are being connected as their installations are finished. The main line gang has been shifted to Ngatea, and has started on the necessary maintenance work. “Maratoto. —All work in connectiph with the line to the Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines was finished on February 9, and the gang has been transferred to Thames,.

“Thames Borough.—The old deviation that was erected to allow of the’ construction of Kauaeranga Bridge lias been dismantled. All poles have been distributed to the power station for the 11,000-volt line in the borough and about half of them have been erected.

. “Cadman’s Road.—The peat, swamp between this road and Paeroa has been burning for about six weeksThe 11,000-vol.t line running across it was that it was deemed necessary to isolate the section. This was done without affecting supply to 1 any consumer. A close inspection of tfie section was not possible .until a few days ago, when it was round that two poles will require replacing and about six others resunk and possibly side 7 guyed. INTERRUPTIONS.

■ “There were several interruptions in power supply during the morning, milking hours in the Matamata ■district during the latter part of January and the early part of February. After a great deal of investigation the conclusion was arrived at that birds were the principal, cause of the •trouble. In one case a starling had got hooked up on a wire near an earth guard, and a number of other birds were found dead at the foot of the pole. In another case a pole with an earth guard on it had come over, due to side pull, making the guard closer to the wires on one side, than it should have been. 'A number of birds were found dead at the foot of this pole also. Further causes of trouble on one day were mechanical faults on switches at 'Horahora and Hopkins’ Corner. These have, been rectified, as well as the clearance of the guards. An inspection of the area indicated that further similar trouble should not be experienced with the clearances obtaining. UNAUTHORISED INSPECTORS. “It has been ■ reported that a man posing as one of. the 1 board’s inspectors had called on at least one of our consumers, stating that he wished to inspect the installation. The appearance of the man created suspicion in the mind oLthe .consumer, who did nob allow him to enter the dwellinghouse. The man was not a board officer at all, and it is presumed that lie was there of evil, intent.

“For the information and protection of consumers it may be stated that each authorised inspector is the possessor of, and must carry when on duty, a Certificate of Registration signed by the chairman and registrar of the Electrical Wiremen’s Registration Board. The authorised inspector must have his signature on the martion of this certificate. Consumers are entitled to demand the production of this certificate before allowing anyone o tinspect their installations, and, if they do not know , the inspector, should always ask . for the producton of the certificate and ask him to sign his njme for comparison with that oh. the certificate.

“In addition, to this certificate each person possessing inspecting autthority under the Thames Valley Electric Power -Board carries with him a form, signed by the board’s managexr, stating that he is aiitliorised to exercise all rights and privileges under the Power Boards Action behalf of the board. In case of doubt consumers should 1 demand to see this authority too.

• “The ordinary electrical wireman must carry his certificate ailso, .and consumers may demand the production! of this before allowing him to do any work in the ilnouse or shed of the consumer.

“IL 'Iras been suggested that each inspector should carry a. badge of authority on his eclat so that consumers who may feel diffident about demanding the production of the certificates above-mentioned would have some other guide in the mjatter. J “The subject is. worthy of spine discussion, but it may be better tol refer the matter to the Ppwer Boards? Conference for general action.”