D.—l.

In studying the preceding graphs it should be remembered that they represent a composite review of the electric-supply business as a whole, and the appropriate statistics appertaining to the Public Works Department have therefore been combined with those of all the other electrical supply authorities in the Dominion. It is hoped that the publication of these graphs will be of interest to the various electric-supply authorities throughout New Zealand, without whose valued co-operation in furnishing the requisite statistics each year it would not have been possible to compile the information now presented in graph form. 4 ELECTRICAL SUPPLY AND ELECTRICAL WIRING REGULATIONS. During the past year numbers of 6-volt, 12-volt, and 18-volt portable electric-lighting plants have been installed in territories not readily accessible to public electric-supply systems. Under the Electrical Wiremen's Registration Act the services of a registered wireman are not necessary to install the wiring where the voltage does not exceed 20 volts, but this does not include exemption from the requirements of the Electrical Wiring Regulations issued under the Public Works Act. Some modification of the standard Electrical Wiring Regulations was deemed necessary in such cases, and the Regulations Advisory Committee has prepared regulations defining the requirements to be observed by persons installing such sets with a rating not exceeding 500 watts. These regulations were gazetted on 13th January, 1938. INSPECTION OF ELECTRIC LINES, ALSO PRIVATE GENERATING-PLANTS. The annual departmental inspection of the electric lines- in operation was carried out in the case of supply authorities last year, and any defects or breaches of the regulations which came under notice were duly notified to the supply authorities concerned. These inspection activities of the Department undoubtedly tend towards the maintaining of a high standard, and the general willingness on the part of the supply authorities to co-operate in a general observance of the regulations governing such matters is of great assistance to this Department. The following supply authorities have notified extensions to electric lines in their respective districts during the year : — Power Boards— Power Boards —continued. Cities—continued. Ashburton. Otago Central. Palmerston North. Auckland. Poverty Bay. Wellington. Banks Peninsula. South Taranaki. Boroughs— Bay of Plenty. Springs-Ellesmere. Bluff. Cambridge. Taranaki. Hamilton. Central Hawke's Bay. , Tararua. Napier. Central Waikato. Tauranga. New Plymouth. Dannevirke. Te Awamutu. Ohakune. Franklin. Thames Valley. Taihape. Golden Bay. Waitomo. Whakatane. Hawke's Bay. Waimea. Town Boards — Hutt Valley. Wairarapa. Kaponga. Horowhenua. Wairere. County Councils — Malvern. Waitaki. Waimairi. Manawatu-Oroua. Waitemata. Companies— Marlborough. Wanganui-Rangitikei. Westland Power, Ltd. North Auckland. Cities — Hume (Cobb River) E.P. Co. North Canterbury. Christchurch. Opunake. Dunedin. Otago. Nelson. It is not generally known that under the Electrical Wiremen's Registration Amendment Act, 1928, it is mandatory to give notice of the installation of private electric plants, and provision is made for the inspection of these plants before same are placed in service. During the year inspections have been made as opportunity offered.

B—D. 1.

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