Institute of Electricians Newsletter 1981

Phone 85 885

508 Gordon Road,
HASTINGS

November, 1981

N.Z INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICIANS (Inc.)
Hawke’s Bay Branch

NEWSLETTER

The Annual General meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Branch will be held on Wednesday, 11th November 7.30pm. in room C14 at the H.B. Community College. Room C14 is in the Single storey Cafeteria Block at the South End of the College. Your attendance is necessary to keep the branch active for 1982. At the conclusion of the general business, Dave Taylor will give a talk on his recent trip to the British Isles and parts of Europe.

AGENDA   Welcome
Minutes of last A.G.M. [Annual General Meeting]
Reports
Election of Officers
General Business:
Amendments to Rules
Annual Subscriptions
Future Meeting Night
Other General Business
Talk by Dave Taylor.

Capitation fees have been increased to $11 for Members and Associates and to $7 for Retired Members and Students. Since the Board incurred a small loss this year, it is the recommendation of the Committee that these capitation increases be passed on. The loss is due to the Branch supporting a few members with outstanding subscriptions which were due for payment on 1st November, 1980.

The following Rule Changes have been recommended by the N.Z. Rules Committee:

Section 2, Clause 3; Section 4, Define Country Member and Clause 3; Section 5, Clause 1; and Section 7, Clause 6.

MASTERTON CONFERENCE 1982 – March, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st. Check the last page of the October “Electrician” for details.

It is with regret that one of our members, Mr. Bob Holt, passed away during the month.

We are all pleased to see Mr. Geoff Johnson back in the trade as Assistant Manager of Turnbull & Jones, Hastings. Congratulations to Doug Honey on his promotion in the M.O.W., with a transfer to Hamilton. All the best to Ted Parry and family for his new job at Port Moresby, New Guinea. All members thank you and your wife for all your time and effort working for the Institute. Ted and his family leave New Zealand on 15th November. We all wish Alan Hirtzel a speedy recovery in the Napier Hospital. He’s on the mend after a set back and would be very pleased to see any visitors.

I received several apologies for nonattendance at Meetings through pressure of work, namely a note from Lauren Colewell, also from the boys at Tomoana.

My thanks to Chas. Kent, Wairoa for the following letter:

“I was interested in the article in the October Newsletter – “The H.B. Power Board Evolves”- where it states that the supply from the Waikaremoana Scheme was available in 1926.

This is not so, the first supply from the Main station was early 1929, although a temporary station consisting of two Metro Vic – 500 KVA Units was supplying the Wairoa E.P.B. in 1923.

The mention of unit price in the last paragraph reminded me of the escalating cost of generating stations. The cost of Tuai Station was $25 per H.P.,

today it costs over $2,000 per H.P.

My interest stems from the fact that I worked on the Tuai Scheme from start to finish!   Editor Note: N.Z.E.D. state the Official Opening for Tuai was 20th November, 1929.”

I have already received several nominations for the Executive. Further nominations will be accepted at the A.G.M. on 11th November.

PLEASE MAKE THE EFFORT TO COME.

SECRETARY’S REPORT.

The Branch Meetings throughout the year have covered a wide spectrum. Meetings were always held on the second Wednesday of the month, except for the Saturday Evening dinner in August. Where, in an evening meeting could one inspect New Zealand’s newest Fire Station, see a Fire Call, then view slides of Fire Engines through the ages?

Thanks to members who arranged or talked at Meetings:

Willis Dark, who opened the Museum of Technology, which refreshed Member’s memories. Kerry Single who combined with a Local Radio Inspector to demonstrate the effect of a high frequency welder for electrical interference. Ray Mathews for standing in an explaining his paper on electrical and motor harmonics. Noel Kenward and his photos and thoughts on Canada. Ray Downing’s tour and explanation of the workings of a Bakery.

Our Awards Evening was our best attended evening with Mr. Moore of A.B.C.L. concluding with an informative and witty explanation of his Company’s products. Burroughs’ staff sold and explained their computer in a very businesslike manner. The evening concluded with fun for all.

Finally the Promotion Evening was an “attendance disaster”. Yet, we had three experts who knew their subject matter. It was most informative, especially the surprise lecture on batteries. As an extra, Members were invited to discuss with the N.Z. Registrar of Electricians, the New Electricians’ Act, with the result that we all left the meeting with a greater understanding of the regulations.

The Conference was a great success, thanks to members and wives who helped. However it failed to generate any interest locally of non-active Members, or increase our Membership.

The statistics as per capitation paid for 1981:
New Zealand Life Member 1; H.B. Life Members 2; Members 63; Associate Members 3; Retired Members 12; Student Members 2; Total = 81. The two Life Members are retired. Meetings Held = 10 + The Electricians’ Registrar + Conference.  Members attendance, excluding Conference = 110; Visitors = 65. Newsletters and Meeting Notices Posted = 1,000 plus.

One highlight during the year was the presentation of a Life Membership plaque to Ken Alderson, a just reward for many years of service.

I would like to thank all those who assisted me during the past year, members of the Committee, typists and my wife and family.

The future of the Branch is not rosy, with Meeting attendances at an all time low, and if an effort is not made in the near future to find new Members the Branch is likely to slide into recess. Just imagine the embarrassment, after having sent out 120 invitations only 8 persons plus the three Guest Speakers attended the meeting. The Committee and I are always interested to hear suggestions to swell our numbers, or of an interesting venue or lecture.

2nd November, 1981

Ian Grover
SECRETARY