2744
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 73

free from any inflammable materials, and supported in such a manner as to be free from any risk of mechanical injury and interference by unauthorized persons. All joints of unlike polarity must be at least 6 in. apart. Dry joints will be allowed if carefully made and mechanically strong, and well insulated with rubber and adhesive tape. The load on any circuit must not be greater than in permanent work. Temporary work must not be connected up until it has been inspected and passed by a Departmental officer.

Motors.

27. Where a three-phase supply is available, motors of over 1 horse-power must be three-phase. On single-phase mains connection of larger size motors will be granted only by special permission of the Department previously obtained. All motors shall be installed, and starting-devices provided, so that a minimum of disturbance is caused in the supply lines by the starting-current.

28. Energy used to drive motor generators for lighting purposes will be charged for at lighting rates.

29. Every motor of 15 horse-power and over must be provided with an overload relay. Every motor over 3 horse-power must have a suitable starting-device with no-voltage release. The star delta type of starting-device is as a rule not satisfactory, and will only be approved in special circumstances. If considered necessary by the Department, starting-devices shall be installed on motors of less than 3 horse-power. Stranded wires shall be used in all cases for motors of more than ½ horse-power.

Testing.

30. On completion of any work the contractor shall notify the Department in writing, and a test will then be made free of charge. If satisfactory, supply will be given; but should the installation be incomplete or the test prove unsatisfactory, supply will be refused until defects have been remedied. A charge of not less than 5s. will be made for each subsequent test. These tests are for departmental purposes only, and do not release the contractor from any liability to the consumer should a fault subsequently develop.

Inspection.

31. The consumer will at all reasonable times give the departmental officer access to his premises for the purposes of reading the meter or testing and examining all internal electric lines, meters, and other fittings. If in the opinion of such officer the electric lines, meters, or other fittings shall be deemed unsatisfactory, the Department may immediately cut off the supply until such defect is remedied.

32. The Department shall not be responsible for any delay in connecting a consumer to the supply mains.

Alterations or Additions.

33. The consumer shall not, after a supply of energy has been given, make or allow to be made any alterations or additions to the wiring, fittings, or apparatus connected thereto until a written application has been made to the Department and such application has been granted by the Department.

34. The alterations or extensions will be treated as if they formed part of a new installation, and must not be connected until they have been inspected and passed by the Departmental officer.

35. If the above conditions are not complied with, the consumer’s supply is liable to be disconnected without notice.

Interruptions.

36. Electrical energy will be supplied continuously, but the Department will not be responsible for any inconvenience or loss that may be sustained by a consumer in consequence of interruptions or defects of supply caused by strikes, accidents to machinery, electric lines, or other apparatus, or on account of its being deemed necessary by the Department to cut off the supply for temporary repairs, or in consequence of any operation of the Department.

Charges.

37. The price for electrical energy supplied by the Department will be calculated on the Board of Trade unit consisting of 1,000-watt hours. All energy will be charged according to meter register, but should a supply be given before a meter is installed the consumer shall pay for current supplied during such period a sum based upon the number and capacity of lamps and other apparatus installed.

Should the meter prove defective in any way, or be removed for testing or repair, the consumer shall pay per month for energy supplied during such period, a sum based on the average former reading of the meter.

The charges for energy supplied shall be as follows, viz. :

For each unit for lighting: 8d.

For each unit for power, heating, and domestic appliances: 4d.

When current accounts are paid on or before the 15th of each month the following discounts shall be allowed, viz. :

On charge for lighting 25 per cent.

On charge for power, &c., up to 20 units. 25 ,,

On charge for power, &c., over 20 units .. 50 ,,

Accounts are payable monthly, and are due and payable on delivery of accounts.

Deposit.

38. The Department may require any applicant for supply to pay a reasonable deposit in respect of energy to be supplied.

Meters.

39. A meter or meters will be provided free of charge to measure the total power going into an installation, but if for the purposes of the consumer check-meters are installed, or the installation is divided into lighting, heating, or power circuits, and it is required to meter each separately, the consumer shall pay a monthly charge of 6d. for each extra meter.

40. Meters will be maintained free of charge. If the accuracy of the meter is questioned by the consumer, on depositing 5s. at the Tourist Office the meter will be tested. If it tests accurate within 5 per cent., the meter shall be deemed to be correct and the consumer shall bear the cost of the tests.

41. If the meter is not correct, adjustment will be made in the consumer’s account for one month and the deposit will be returned.

Change of Occupancy.

42. Each consumer will be held responsible for the electric energy consumed on the premises specified in the application until written notice has been received by the Department that the supply is to be discontinued or transferred. Such notice must be given to the Department forty-eight hours before the consumer wishes the supply to be cut off. In the event of a consumer ceasing to require the supply and failing to give the required notice in advance, such consumer shall be charged for all supply registered on the meter.

Disconnection.

43. (a.) If the consumer makes use of the electrical supply for any other purpose than that set forth in his application, or uses or deals with the energy supplied by the Department in any manner so as to unduly or improperly interfere with the efficient supply of energy to other consumers; or

(b.) If the consumer shall refuse access to his premises at any reasonable time to the departmental officer for the time being, or other person acting on his behalf, for the purpose of inspecting, testing, reading, removing, or fixing the meter, or of inspecting and testing the consumer’s wiring and fittings; or

(c.) If the consumer’s installation shall upon testing show a leakage exceeding one ten-thousandth part of the maximum supply of current to the premises; or

(d.) If the consumer or any person with his knowledge or connivance tamper with or wilfully damage any meter or apparatus on his premises, being the property of the Department, or shall fraudulently obtain a supply of electricity from the Department’s service wires or apparatus; or

(e.) If the consumer make default in paying for the electric energy supplied to him; or

(f.) If the consumer shall in any way contravene the terms in his application;

the Department may, if it thinks fit, without prejudice to any other of the Department’s rights against him, discontinue the supply.

Reconnection.

44. If the Department should discontinue the supply to the consumer for any of the reasons in clause 43, then a payment of 5s. shall be made for the reconnection of the installation.

45. When an installation has been disconnected, reconnection shall be made by a departmental officer only.

Saving.

46. In any matter relating to material or workmanship which forms part of any installation, connected or to be connected to the Department’s mains, but which is not specially provided for in these by-laws, the decision shall be made by the Department, and such decision shall be final.

47. The Department may from time to time make, alter, amend, or revoke by-laws to regulate and determine—

(1.) The manner in which electrical installations are to be carried out;

(2.) The materials that may be used therein;

(3.) The conduct of holders of licenses under these by-laws;

(4.) The sale and distribution of electricity;

(5.) The terms and conditions under which electrical installations may be used by consumers.