ELECTRICITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1921, Page 2

ELECTRICITY.

ON THE FARM

No convenience caii add more to the comfort of a country home than electric light. To be able to flood ever} corner with the touch of a button means a great deal. It means even more to have this “bottled sunlight all through your barns and out-build-ings. No fumbling round in the dark when you come home late at night, no hunting for unseen tools in the gloom of the early winter morning; no lanterns to be kicked over by nervous animals. No one has ever questioned the great desirability of electricity on the farm but like many other good things, the running expense was formerly too high for the average income. The invention of the tungsten lamp improvements in storage batteries and generating sets enable the farmer to generate his light and power at approximately the same cost as he non pays for kerosene and candles. When water power is available to drive the dynamo then electricity becomes an absolute necessity. Developing water power is like making a goo investment in bank stock. You have not “spent” your money, but you have made a permanent investment which will pay you splendid returns and will constantly grow in value. A waterpower plant costs nothing to run and requires a minimum of attention. If your stream is large enought you can not only make all your own lights free of cost, but have power available for running milking machines, electric irons, cookers, vacuum cleaners, saw benches, etc., etc. In fact there is no useful purpose to which it may not be applied. Millions of pounds are now being spent in the development of great water powers and everyone realiss that these great improvements have added immensely to the wealth of the country. The average man, however, is apt to overlook the value of the small water power that is available right on his own land. This no doubt is due to the fact that old types of water wheels wasted ns much water that only a fraction o the power of the stream was converted into energy. , Messrs Brown Bros of Christchurch, who are at present represented in Hokitika by Mr H. C. Ferrand, of Daly Bros and Ferrand, have made a special study of the development of small water powers. Instruction forms for the measurement of small streams can be obtained from Mr Ferraitd at the Red Ikon Hotel and quotations for the whole installation will he given on receipt of particulars. Remember you cannot obtain a wheel or turbine from Messrs Brown Bros unless they are sure it is the right wheel'for your place, and will give the.proper returns.