D.—i

47

(d.) Freezing for the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company (night power only) : The substation at the works is completed and ready for service, but the company have not yet obtained their plant, (c.) Lyttelton Borough wafer-supply pumping : Two 80 h.p. motors, superseding suction-gas engines, have now been installed, and are regularly driving the pumps for night load only. The two electro-chemical industries carbide and caustic-soda manufacture more directly resulting from war conditions have not survived competition with the imported article, which has again become available since the cessation of the war. Both enterprises experienced many initial difficulties, but both succeeded in turning out a sample product of satisfactory quality. In each case the plant had all the inherent-disabilities of small experimental equipments. Therefore, though if is still a question whether such industries can be successfully established in this country, the failure of these particular attempts is by no means a conclusive indication that their local development is impracticable. 12. General. -As a result of the rapidly extending appreciation of the value of hydro-electric supply, and more particularly as a result of the present acute coal-shortage, the demand for supply from the Lake Coleridge system has been continually increasing during the year. Unfortunately, this increased demand has occurred simultaneously with the enforced restrictions of output due to non-arrival of plant ordered over two years ago for extensions. This has embarrassed the Department and caused disappointment to prospective power-users, and in many ways has resulted, in a substantial delay in the development of the scheme. In spite of these unfortunate, circumstances, however, the present limited development of the Lake Coleridge scheme has proved an economic asset of national as well as local importance, the power-output, for the year from Addington substation representing at a, moderate estimate the, equivalent of 100,000 tons of coal. A number of local bodies have taken action under the Electric I'ower Boards Act providing for the formation of special Boards to take supply in bulk from the Department and administer the local reticulations. Stimulated by the activity of the Canterbury Progress League, local bodies in all parts of Canterbury are carrying out preliminary investigation into the possibilities of,their districts. The route, of the 66,000-volt transmission-line to Timaru has been, surveyed in detail, and routes selected for extensions to the 11,000-volt feeders. During the year under review nine, employees have returned from active, service and have resumed their duties with the. Department, leaving about thirteen yet to come back. Two other returned soldiers are now in training, and every effort is being made to give such training where possible. In general, the past year has been one of exceptional circumstances in each case with a tendency to affect adversely the development ol the scheme. But the year closed with satisfactory indications that these disabilities are passing, and a period of vigorous development may be expected. Lawebnce Bikes, B.Sc, M.lnst.C.E., M.1.E.E., Acting Chief Electrical Engineer.

TABLES. Table A.—Details of Capital Outlay.

Capital Outlay. I tern. 31st March, 1918. 31st March, 1919. T -_ , Increase. Land, roading, and fencing Tunnel and headworks Power-house and machinery Staff village Transmission-lines Addington distributing-station Primary distribution Secondary distribution Service transformers and meters Motor vehicles and loose equipment Telephone-lines Office furniture Survey, engineering, and general expenses Interest during construction £ £ 17,250 17,386 94,390 98,421 70,976 72,860 11,333 12,215 52,884 52,882 22,510 22,502 38,451 41,813 24,371 23,734 1.1,627 J 1,818 3,988 4,466 1,815 ■ 1,828 .: 93 105 .. i 25,746 28,532 14,320 14,564 £ 136 4,031 1,884 882 I lecrease 2 Decrease 8 3,362 Decrease 637 221 478 13 12 2,786 244 Totals 389,754 103,156 389,754 403,156 13,402