SEPT. 6.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2517

51–23. (1) All insulating-gloves, boots, goloshes, and stands, rubber protective-covers and mats, and safety-belts shall be inspected immediately before use, and any found to be physically damaged, or substantially deteriorated, shall be destroyed immediately, or placed, pending repair, in a receptacle from which they cannot be inadvertently taken for use.

(2) All insulating-gloves, boots and goloshes, and rubber protective-covers shall be tested for insulation once in every two months or after fourteen days use, whichever is the lesser period, and no such equipment shall be used unless it has been so tested and found to be an effective insulant at any pressure at which it is likely to be used.

(3) All safety-belts shall be tested at intervals of not more than six months up to a tension of 500 lb.

(4) A record of every test made on protective equipment, and the results thereof, shall be kept by the licensee for a period of not less than two years after the date of test, and shall be available for inspection by the Inspecting Engineer when required.

51–24. It shall be the duty of every person working on the lines or apparatus to satisfy himself that such safeguards are in good physical and mechanical order and condition.

METERS.

51–31. (1) Before any meter used for the purpose of ascertaining the amount to be paid by the consumer for electrical energy is connected for that purpose, it shall be tested by the licensee, and shall not be installed unless it records within 2½ per cent. above or below the true value :

Provided that meters may for a period of six months after the date of commencement of first supply pursuant to a license issued or taking effect, under the Public Works Act, 1928, to consumers within any area, and if no supply to consumers within that area has previously been given pursuant to any such license, be installed before being tested, but every such meter shall be tested within six months after the date of installation thereof.

(2) If any meter installed pursuant to the foregoing proviso before being tested is found on testing to have an error exceeding 2½ per cent. as aforesaid, it shall be adjusted immediately to within such margin of error or be replaced by a meter which has passed such test as aforesaid, and the licensee shall adjust the consumer’s account for electrical energy for the whole period during which such defective meter was installed.

51–32. (1) If any consumer considers that the meter installed in accordance with clause (1) of the last preceding regulation is recording in excess of the amount of electrical energy used, the licensee shall, on receipt of notice to that effect (accompanied by a deposit of 10s.), from the consumer, cause the meter to be tested and a certificate issued showing the result of such test.

(2) In the event of the meter recording in excess of the amount of electrical energy used to the extent of more than 2½ per cent. over the range of load on which it has been used it shall be adjusted immediately to within 2½ per cent. or be replaced by another meter which has been duly tested and found to be accurate within such limits, the deposit of 10s. shall be returned to the consumer, and the licensee shall adjust the consumer’s account for electrical energy for the period for which the consumer is charged, on the last account form rendered prior to the notice aforesaid being served on the licensee.

(3) In the event of the consumer being dissatisfied with the licensee’s test of the meter he may appeal to the Chief Electrical Engineer, whose decision shall be final and binding. The cost of any test made for the purpose of deciding such appeal shall be borne by the licensee or the consumer, as the Chief Electrical Engineer directs, and shall constitute a debt due to the Crown.

CONSUMERS’ INSTALLATIONS.

51–41. The electrical supply authority shall make it a condition of supply in every case that the consumer shall render it every reasonable facility for inspecting and testing any electric line, wire fitting, apparatus, and appliance, which may be on the consumer’s premises, during the progress of installation, alteration or addition, and at any time after its completion.

51–42. The electrical supply authority shall inspect and test every installation, and every alteration thereof or addition thereto, free of cost, provided that if after the contractor has notified the licensee that the installation is completed it is found necessary to reinspect or retest the new work the licensee may charge the contractor a fee not exceeding 10s. for each reinspection or retest.

51–43. For the purpose of ascertaining that a consumer’s installation and every appliance connected therewith is free from electrical hazard the electrical supply authority shall make periodical inspections and tests of such installation at intervals of not more than five years.

51–44. The licensee shall, at any time on request by the consumer and on receipt of an undertaking to pay the cost thereof, inspect and test the consumer’s installation.

51–45. If any consumer is dissatisfied with the action of the licensee in refusing to give, or in discontinuing, or in not recommending, the supply of electrical energy to his premises upon the ground only that the installation or any appliance connected therewith constitutes an electrical hazard, such installation and/or appliance may, on his application to the Minister and on payment of the cost, be inspected and tested by an Inspecting Engineer. If the Inspecting Engineer is satisfied that such installation and every appliance connected therewith is free from electrical hazard, the licensee shall not, after receipt of notice to that effect from the Inspecting Engineer, be entitled to refuse to supply the consumer with electrical energy only upon the ground aforesaid.

LICENSEE’S LINES AND WORKS.

51–51. (1) The licensee shall make inspections of the whole of the electric lines and works belonging to him or under his control at such intervals as may be necessary to comply with the requirements of Regulations 52–02 and 52–11 hereof.

(2) A record of every inspection made shall be kept by the licensee for a period of not less than two years after the date of inspection, and shall be available for inspection by the Inspecting Engineer when required.

51–52. The Minister may, at the expense of the licensee and at any time and from time to time, order an inspection to be made by an Inspecting Engineer of the whole or any part of the electric lines and works carried out, erected, or maintained by the licensee under the license.

51–53. For the purpose of facilitating any inspection the licensee shall—

(a) Provide any necessary transport for the Inspecting Engineer within the area to which the license relates ; and

(b) Lend to the Inspecting Engineer necessary available instruments required by him for the purpose of making any test ; and

(c) Render every reasonable assistance to the Inspecting Engineer ; and

(d) Arrange for an officer to accompany the Inspecting Engineer when necessary.

51–54. (1) Fees in respect of any such inspection by the Inspecting Engineer shall be paid by the licensee as follows :—

(a) For any installation up to and including £ s. d.

100 kilowatts . . . . . 2 2 0

(b) For any installation over 100 kilowatts and not exceeding 500 kilowatts . . 3 3 0

(c) For any installation over 500 kilowatts and not exceeding 1,000 kilowatts . . 4 4 0

(d) For any installation over 1,000 kilowatts 5 5 0

(e) For maintenance of and extensions to plant or lines, per inspection . . 2 2 0

(f) For any inspection exceeding two days, extra fee for each day after first two days . . . . . 1 1 0

(2) For the purposes of this regulation an extension to lines means any new line erected in a portion of the district already inspected.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation the rating in kilowatts of any installation shall be deemed to be the capacity of the generating or main transforming plant.

PART 52.—MAINTENANCE.

CONSUMERS’ INSTALLATIONS.

52–01. Every consumer shall maintain free from electrical hazard the installation and every appliance and electric service-line connected therewith which may be on such consumer’s premises, save that this regulation shall not apply to any apparatus or service-line belonging to the licensee.

52–02. If as the result of an inspection made in compliance with Regulation 51–51 hereof any defect is found in any electric service-line not belonging to the licensee, he shall immediately notify the consumer of such defect and require him to have it remedied forthwith.

52–03. If a consumer fails so to maintain his installation and every appliance connected therewith, the licensee shall (subject always to the provisions of Regulation 51–45 hereof)—

(a) In the case where the installation or appliance is in a dangerous condition, forthwith discontinue to supply from the electric lines of the licensee.