D—4

An Order in Council authorized the development of the resources of the Clutha River and its tributary lakes and streams for hydro-electric purposes. The following licences and permits to use water for the purpose of generating electricity and/or to erect and use electric lines were issued, revoked, or assigned : Electric lines — Supply Private Licences — Authorities. Individuals. Issued .. .. .• .. 9 5 Assigned .. .. .. 4 Revoked .. .. .. 4 3 Use of water-power — Licences — Issued .. .. . • .... 4 Assigned .. .. .... 3 Revoked .. .. .. 1 1 Permits — Issued .. .. .. .... 1 Revoked .. .. .... 1 Combined electric lines and water-power licences — Issued .. .. .- .. 3 5 Assigned .. .. .. .. 1 6 Revoked .. .. .. .... 4 Permits to carry out wiring-work in connection with private plants: Issued .. .... 217 Fifty-seven Electric Supply Authorities gave notice of their intention to make a. total of 641 extensions to their electric lines. Four thousand three hundred and sixty-five broken wires and 278 broken poles were reported bv Authorities. The principal causes of the wires being broken were : trees, 1,067 (244 per cent.); contact, 1,203 (27-6 per cent.); gale, 1,001 (22-9 per cent.); vibration, 133 (3 per cent.) ; pole hit by vehicle, 165 (3-8 per cent.) ; vehicles equipped with cranes, &c, 105 (2-4 per cent.).

The following table shows the number of electrical accidents reported compared with the previous year :

30

Year Ended 31st March, 1949. Year Ended 31st March, 1948. Fatal. j Non-fatal. i Total. Fatal. Non-fatal. Total. Child (up to seven years inclusive) 1 3 4 6 2 8 Commercial (shops, offices, &c.) 1 1 Domestic (includes hotels, boardinghouses, 4 5 9 1 5 6 &c.) Electrical linemen 2 : 13 15 9 9 Electrical worker (other than linemen) ; 6 6 3 6 9 General public 1 1 2 1 3 4 Industrial (factories, workshops, &c.) 1 ! 7 8 1 1 Other trades 2 1 ! 3 5 5 Other workers -> 3 5 6 6 Painters 1 1 1 1 Plumbers 1 1 1 1 Telephone linemen 1 1 2 Young persons (over seven but not over -> 2 4 2 2 4 fifteen years) : i Total 15 43 i 58 15 42 57 Mechanical (fall from pole, &c.) 4 4 ; 1 3 Stock .. "i 1 2 2 %.