1.—12.

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[E. PARRY.

47. Mr. Hornsby.] It would be mostly unskilled labour —the labour required for the preliminary works? —Yes. . 48. The Chairman.] Last session Parliament voted a certain sum of money : was that ample for your requirements in connection with the preliminary works?—-Quite ample. I would like to say that I have never been hampered with regard to money at all. The Chairman: When the £150,000 was voted it was stated freely that it was not sufficient. You state that the money voted was sufficient, considering the labour available. 49. Mr. Poland.] How much of it has been expended up to the present?— None at all. We would like £150,000 or £100,000 for developing South Canterbury —developing the Coleridge system. When I was referring to labour—the necessity of skilled labour —I was speaking in regard to tunnel-work. 50. Mr. Sidey.] In the event of local authorities undertaking this scheme, it is very desirable, is it not, that any work thejr undertake should conform with the general scheme?— Yes. 51. How about works being undertaken in the Sounds, which you say are not generally available for ordinary schemes: what is your opinion about work of that kind?— The Government could grant a license to approved firms, allowing them to develop the work in their own way, and at a nominal rental, in order to encourage the industry, reserving the right to take it over. 52. Mr. Poland.] In your opinion the Government should start all three North Island schemes simultaneously ?—Yes. 53. And provide all the money that is necessary?— Yes. 54. How long would it take to develop 160,000 horse-power from those three sources mentioned in your report—it would be available gradually? —Yes. We would not put all the plant in at once—only enough to meet possible requirements. We could put three machines in at a time at each source, and add to it unit by unit. At Lake Coleridge we put in three 8,000 horse-power units; and we have ordered a fourth, and a fifth is under order. 55. Supposing the labour was available?—lt would take three years. 56. Mr. Sidey.] Completing the whole scheme within three years?—We would go on with those three works [indicating on plan]—lo,ooo horse-power in each. In three years' time I would not anticipate that the whole three would be linked, up. The transmission-line would be constructed, which would be extended as time goes on. 57. As far as you can see at the present time, under the conditions as you see them to-day, you reckon it would take three years to fully bring the northern scheme into effect?— Not fully, just to give a start. 58. It would be all in operation in ten years' time according to the scheme you are outlining now ?—Yes. 59. With regard to the South Island, supposing you take the basis as it is to-day, with regard to the South. Island : how long do you estimate it will be after you commence the South Island before you have it in full operation is no reason why it should take any longer. 60. Would it take as long, seeing that you have got the Lake Coleridge scheme in operation? —It would take the same time to develop the new ones. 61. lam taking the first answer you gave us with, regard to the North Island scheme. Looking at it under existing conditions, you reckon that it would take ten years to bring that scheme into full operation I —Yes. 62. Do you mean to say that it would take ten years to bring the South Island scheme into full operation from the time you started ?—Yes, somewhere about that. • 63. The Chairman.] Is New Zealand specially favoured in respect to making water-supply available for these purposes—favoured as against other countries—Australia, for instance? —Yes, New Zealand is favoured. 64. Do you think we have been backward in developing this power?— No. I should not say that we have been backward. 65. Compared with European countries, is New Zealand specially favoured with regard to water-power ?—The population makes a big difference, but this country is favoured in respect to water-power. 66. Mr. Sidey.] Is there any other country so favoured as New Zealand?—l should say that Tasmania is, for its size. 67. The Chairman.] What will happen in the event of this Dominion not developing industries? Will we gradually decline in industrial power? Is it absolutely necessary for the development of New Zealand generally that this power should be developed to the utmost?— Yes, I think so. Last year we had an application from London for 2,500 horse-power which, we had to reject. 68.' Mr. Sidey.] That is, at Christchurch?—Yes, to start a new industry. 69. What about the manufacture of nitrogen—is that practical in New Zealand ?—Yes, but I do not think it has much of a future here. 70. Aluminium?—We have had a request during the war for aluminium, but we have not got the necessary material. 71. Mr. Hudson.] Do you know anything which would do more towards the development of the country than electricity?—No, because there is nothing that you can so easily transmit, and you can apply electricity to every possible purpose. 72. Referring to the question asked by the Chairman in. connection with small local bodies installing electricity, what price would a local body be justified in paying per horse-power, taking average conditions and, say, coal is £1 15s. a ton ?—Some of them have already expended £100 per. horse-power on their headworks and power plant, and £30 or £40 more on reticulation. 73. Could you give us the outside figure?—lt is hard to say. 74. What is the figure that they ought not to go beyond? —I know some of them who are doing very good business who have expended £150 per horse-power, and it is paying them. There is almost always a certain amount of business to be done at high prices.