The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1919. A GREAT ASSET.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1919. A GREAT ASSET.

An indication of the possibilities of the electric lighting service is given by the Town Clerk in hiy summary of the past year's trading, published in yesterday's issue. The net profit has ris.en in orfe year from £2193 to £5201, after depreciation, interest, and sinking fund have been provided for. It is a mos/t gratifying result, and one on which the Council and the electrical officers deserve to be heartily congratulated. The business grew in the year from £14,007 to £10,289, all departments sharing in the increase, while the working expenses.' actually were £375 less than in the year before —surely a record in these times of continuous increase in production. Other charges, such as cleaning the race and forebay, tunnel, etc., were lighter than previously, while an amount figuring for depreciation in connection with the construction of the new dam disappears from the year's; accounts. The advantage of hydro-electricity is that an increased turnover of business does not necessarily entail an increase in the cosvt of running. The same machinery and the same staff can deal with double and treble the current, if it is available. The development of the scheme has not been put in hand too soon, for the demand for current is daily increasing. As soon as possible Inglewood will be linked up. Waitara desires power, and no doubt mutually satisfactory terms will be arranged shortly. Eltham is! inquiring for power, i and no doubt can be supplied at a price I no local and smaller installation could provide it for. If a line is run to these places, every dairy factory and farm for miles around could be served efficiently and economically. There need be little apprehension as to the amount of power available and the reliability of the service. Mr. Blair-Mason has calculated that from 6000 to 7000 horse-power will be ftvattabls when his schtme it fully

developed, and the public may rely absolutely upon estimates.' given by such a recognised reliable authority. Nature has been very kind to New Plymouth in giving it perennial streams and a natural storage basin that make possible the generation of such an enormous power—sufficient to supply the requirements of Central and Northern Taranaki for many years to come. At a time like the present, when the shortage of coal and firewood is so acute, the value of hydro-electricity is being brought home to all most strikingly, and New Plymouth can well congratulate itself upon having Bitch a successful and profitable installation, and one with truly enormous future possibilities.