INCREASING DEMAND

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 46, 23 August 1926, Page 10

INCREASING DEMAND

ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

STOVES, HEATERS, AND MILKING

MACHINES

Interesting particulars are contained in the annual report of the Chief Government Electrical Engineer (Mr. F. T. M. Kissell), of the increased use of electric heaters, milking machines, and ranges throughout tho Dominion.

The report says that returns have been obtained of electric ranges and water-heaters in use throughout tho Dominion, and the figures obtained show a largo increase over tho corresponding period for the previous twelve months. The total number of electric ranges connected is 4671 compared with 1526 for 1925, an increase of 3145, or 206 per cent. The total number of electric supply authorities is 101, and of these 66 havo electric ranges connected to their systems. One supply auth ority has 553 electric ranges connected to its system, corresponding to approximately one range to every nine consumers.

The total number of electric water heaters connected is 6654, and Co per cent, of the electrical supply authorities have electric water-heaters connected to their systems. The system having the largest number connected is the Auckland Electric Power Board, which has 1878 connected.

When it is realised that some of the largest percentages are being obtained in districts in. which power has only been available for a few months, it is evident that a large increase in demand can bo looked for in this direction once the authorities embark on an active canvass for this type of load. It is also particularly gratifying to see that the advent of electric power is bringing conveniences to the .rural districts which should greatly improve the conditions of living therein.

A return of the number of electrified milking machines in different districts gives an indication of the extent to which electric power is being utilised in this most important New Zealand industry. Tho total number of electri-cally-driven milking machines at tho 31st March, 1926, was 4850, compared with 3581 at the 31st March, 1925, an increase of 1275, or 35 per cent. In 1923 there were 1310 electrically-driven milking machines, so that the increase for three years is 3546, or 270 per cent. In point of numbers the Thames Valley Electric Power Board still heads the list with 1442 machines connected, an increase of 359, or 33 per cent., for the twelve months.

In the early days of electric supply electricity was used almost exclusively for lighting purposes. With the advent of electric motors and the application of electricity for heating- purposes the power and heating load increased, until at the present time the energy used for lighting is small compared with that used for other purposes. The benefits of electric drive in factories and workshops has to a large extent been taken advantage of, and the use of electricity for commercial heating and domestic heating and cooking is rapidly increasing. The use of electric ranges and water-heaters during the past few years tends to confirm the opinion that use of electricity for domestic purposes will soon exceed the demand for industrial and commercial uses.