ELECTRICITY IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 124, 23 February 1928, Page 7

ELECTRICITY IN NEW ZEALAND

AMAZING PROGRESS ILLUMINATING STATISTICS “This is the tenth year since the Electric Power Hoards Act came into force. It required foresight to conceive the basis of the Act. It required gallantry of spirit to go through with schemes under the Act. The result has been an amazing progress. Industries, homes, and districts have become revitalised by the miracle of electricity.” In the above words, the chairman (Mr. G. Capipbell, of Southland) prefaced his address at the opening of the conference of secretaries and executive officers of the Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities’ Association of New Zealand at the City Council Chamber yesterday. “How much the general availability of cheap electric power has meant to the industrial expansion of the Dominion can hardly be told,” proceeded Mr. Campbell. “Hundreds, or perhaps thousands of petrol engines and steam engines have been replaced by motors with a large saving to the user. The relative reduction in the amount of imported petrol due to this cause means a favourable contribution to our balance of trade. The following figures, which are for the financial year ended March 31, 1927, relate solely to power boards. “Total capital outlay £9,963,138: Loan indebtedness (gross), £10,113,400: Accumulated sinking fund £501,643. Annual loan charges: Interest £576,758: Sinking fund £137,178: Revenue; Sale of power £1,244,014. Other £143,296 : Total £1,378,310: Expenditure: Operating expenses £458,970: Other Working Expenses £165,560:. Capital Charges, etc., £673,163: Total £1,324,693: Capital expenditure during year £1,674,538. Employees and wages: Administrative and clerical; Number 381: Salaries paid £87,554. Other employees: Number 808: Wages paid £201,337: In addition to the above data relating to employees, the sum of £198,326 was expended on temporary and casual labour during the year, the number of such employees actuallv in the emplov of boards at March‘3l, 1927, being 717.

“Electricity is now available to more than 90 per cent, of the population of New Zealand. Some 15,000 route miles of electric distribution lines have been erected. Including the Government plants there are 48 public electric power stations in New Zealand. There are approximately 100 electricity distributing authorities in New Zealand. Taking into account the Government schemes some £19,000,000 has been invested in New Zealand in generating and distribution systems. The wiring up of consumers’ premises would probably run into another £4,600,000.”