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Large quantities of machinery for the undertaking have already arrived, and all the plant should be available by the end of 1948. No effort is being spared to push on with Maraetai with the utmost speed, and at the same time the investigation work on the next Waikato project continues at Whakamaru. While all this work is proceeding on new generating-stations the network of transmission-lines is in process of extension, together with the construction of several major substations. In the South Island, work on the construction of a dam across the outlet of Lake Pukaki is being pushed on at great speed, and it is hoped to complete this work early in 1948 in time to store water to help with the winter load of that and the succeeding years. The fifth 15,000 kW. generating-unit for Waitaki Power-station is due for delivery about the end of 1947, but the industrial conditions in Great Britain may again cause delay. No time will be lost in erecting the machine as soon as it is available. The work at Pukaki has affected some of the work at Tekapo, where a 25,000 kW. station is under construction. The ruling feature, however, is the progress made on the tunnel at Tekapo, and this has been speeded up very considerably during the last six months. Investigation work on the new 300,000 kW. station on the Clutha River has proceeded during the year and soon it should be possible to go ahead with the actual work on this major project. It has been decided to build a dam at Cobb, in the Nelson-Marlborough district, and to extend the Cobb Station by a further 20,000 kW. In the meantime, pending the completion of the main dam, a temporary dam is to be built to provide storage designed to overcome the effect of the more usual of the recurring dry periods. Investigation work on the Lake Rotoroa scheme has been commenced. General extensions of the system have been planned, and these include the linking of the Nelson-Marlborough system with the main South Island system, together with the supply to the Buller district. APPENDIX Further information relating to the past year's working is included in the attached report, by the General Manager. The annual report of the Rural Electrical Reticulation Council is also appended.

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A.—ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1947 The General Manager to the Honourable Minister in Charge. Wellington, 20th June, 1947. Sir, — I have the honour to present herewith, pursuant to section 15 of the State Supply of Electrical Energy Act, 1917, the annual report of all operations of the State Hydro-electric Department for the year ended 31st March, 1947. In the interests of paper economy, the report is again condensed and various statistical data have been omitted.

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