ADVANCE OF ELECTRICITY.

Shannon News, 23 November 1928, Page 3

ADVANCE OF ELECTRICITY.

SERVICES RAPIDLY INCREASED IN DOMINION. Some interesting particulars regarding the supply and demand for electrieity in New Zealand at March 31st, 1928, were furnished to the Horowhenua Power Board by its engineer (Mr J. A. Smith), on Tuesday. They were as under: — Including the Government plants, there are now 41 public'electric supply stations in the Dominion; the total installed capacity is 146,360 k.w. an increase of 5.3 per cent during the year; while the sum of the maximum loads has increased by 11,163 k.w. or 10.41. per cent, to 117,445 k.w. The number of consumers, supplied has increased from. 228,345 to 243,795, an increase of 15,4'50, or 6.8 pgr cent, for the year. . . .■■ The total number of units sold was 457,313,863, an increase of 71,617,532 over th'b previous year. Of the 99 electric supply authorities engaged in retail distribution of electrical energy, 83 have an aggregate total of 15,766 electric ranges connected to their system, 6255 (representing an increase of 66 per cent.) being connected during the year. The number of consumers using wat-er-heaters has increased from 14,100 to 21,513, an increase of 51.5 per cent, connected during the year. , As regards electrically driven milking machines, the, figures this year show a steady 'advance over those of previous years, viz.: 1925, 3581; 1926, 4856; 1927,* 6738; 1928, 8514; 7,204 being connected during five years.: If all the electrically driven machines were driven by benzine engines, the consumption * would represent about 190,000 cases of motor spirit for the year.