r>-4

The following table shows the number of electrical fires reported for the year under teview compared with the previous year :

REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WIREMEN Examinations were held for electrical wiremen, electrical servicemen, radio servicemen, radio experimenters, cinematograph operators, and luminous-discharge-tube installers. A large number of candidates sat the regular wiremen's and servicemen's examinations in New Zealand during the year, 1,331 candidates sitting the September, 1946, examinations, and 1,098 candidates the March, 1947, examinations, a grand total of 2,429 candidates. Of this number 1,422 sat the wiremen's examinations —i.e., 843 the written part and 579 the practical part. The September, 1946, examination constitutes a record number of candidates for all time. A steady flow of applicants desiring an assessment of credit for rehabilitation tradetraining purposes continues to occupy the time of the Registration Board, and credits have been assessed for both full and limited registration. During the year the Registration Board finalized its deliberations on the proposed amendments to the Electrical Wiremen's Registration Act. Seventeen provisional licences were issued during the year, the majority of which represent new arrivals to this country from Great Britain and Australia. PERSONNEL At the 31st March, 1947, a total of 4,269 employees were engaged on hydro-electric works. Of these, 2,100 were directly employed by this Department and the remaining 2,169 were on construction under the immediate control of the Public Works Department. The total under the control of this Department comprised 1,475 on operation and maintenance and 625 on construction. It is with regret that I report the absence of Mr. R. G. Mac Gibbon, District Electrical Engineer, Christchurch, who has been on sick-leave since the 30th September, 1946. I record my appreciation of the efforts of all staff and workmen throughout the year. The year 1947 has brought its share of new problems and difficulties, but the burden of these additional worries has been cheerfully borne by operating, administrative, and construction staff alike. I have, &c., F. T. M. Kissel, B.Sc., M.1.E.E., A.M.1.C.E., General Manager.

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Year ended Year ended 31st March, 31st March, 1947. 1946. Accessories Appliances (electric sign and welding-set) 2 i Contact between aerial conductors I Contact between steel conduit and composition gas-pipe 3 3 Defective fuse contact 1 Fittings Fixed wiring (sub mains and sub circuits) Flexible cables and cords (under lift) i Improper use of appliances (irons, radiators, ovens, and 5 2 urns left switched on) Lightning 1 Rodents 2 Service mains 3 Substations 2 Switchboards (wiring behind and accessories on) 9 *8 Total 27 17