HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEMES.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1925, Page 4

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEMES.

N.Z. METHODS PRAISED

WELLINGTON. Nov. 11. Before leaving the city, an electrical engineer ,;f world-wide experience, who lias boon on a prolonged visit to New Zealand, made some interesting statements about the system in vogue here. “The Ne" Zealand Government struck out on novel lii.es when instituting the Rower Boards as a method of arranging for the distribution of e!e r iricitv generated from the Govern-

ment-owned stations.” says this engineer. “It is clear that, but for the Rower Board’s system, the use of electricity (otild not possibly have' progressed to the extent which ii lias done in this country, since the prospects offered to ordinary commercial undertakings were in general insufficiently at 1 motive. “Naturally, any tominercial undertaking would pick the plums out of the country, and would have left the more sparsely-populated dist.ru Is untouched. The Rower Boards who have behind them power to levy rates, if necessary to tarry over initial lean years, were able to take clcctrieitv supply into districts which would be hopeless to a commercial undertaking. Thus far, there!ere, the Rower Board system has undoubtedly worked out- well. ‘‘Tin? technical control exercised by the Government by virtue of its license lias operated to secure much greater uniformity of system and voltage than obtains at Home, where in the early days of electricity supply they seem to have experimented with every conceivable system, voltage, and frequency. The usual house pressure in New Zealand. 240 volts, is higher than is commonly used in other lands, where the troubles arising from conservatism have been apparent. New Zealand is thus on an excellent basis for reducing distribution costs, an essential factor in thinly-populated districts. “ft is now” adds this authority, “a

question of how far centralised control over the Rower Board's technical activities will be relaxed in the future. 4 hero appears to he a tendency towards ever-increased supervision, tending to create conditions under which lo ally-trained young engineers would find their careers narrowed, and their earning possibilities reduced. From a technical standpoint it would be belter to give the Boards greater freedom. r?dier than to increase restrictions.

“The time.” be says, “lias now arrived when it is advisable to educate the public to a more general use of electricitv.”