ELECTRIC POWER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20302, 9 March 1915, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

(To the Editor. ) r

Sir, —As one who is very interested iin the matter of «?loctric light and power, I invited information on the subject from an electrical friend of mine. He points out at the outset a very palpable error on the part of Mr. Harris, who he states is apparently unnblo to distinguish between generating and selling costs. The amount 4d. to 4^d. per unit being the latter, not the former. The generating costs are stated to be 2_l. Regarding the error of cost of generating set, my friend states that to the lay mind 30 kilowatts conveys nothing, but to the trained mind the error is so manifestly a typographical one as not to be worth quibbling about. In support of the case from an electrical point of view I am asked the following pertinent questions : Why, if gas is so superior to electricity for light and power, is it that gas is being superseded everywhere by its powerful rival? A few years ago I'ahiatua installed gas j now it is taking a_ poll on the question of installing electricity. Why have Auckland, Wellington, Christchiirch and Dunedin powerhouses ever increasing in size to endeavour to cope with ever expanding business? To come nearer home, why have the Hospital, the Wanganui Club, and "The Chronicle" all installed private electric plants? Why, if gas is such a superfine illuminant, did the Council at a recent meeting, in order "to improve the lighting of the town," instruct its electrical engineer' to instal a lamp at the corner of the Avenue and Taupo Quay? _ A few months ago, at great cost, a high pressure gas lamp was erected' here. Is this lamp a failure. If not, why scrap it? On the assumption tKat the public prefer actual facts to .theoretical deductions based on purely hypothetical data, I can vouch for the correctness of the following: A nine-roomed house at Khandallah. does a fair amount of entertaining, uses an electric iron for laundry.-work^ —cost 3s. per month for current! This is only one case out of many. Electricity is economical owing to the lamps being made in so many different amounts of candle power; by using just the power required great say» ing can be assured. Gas mantles being of the on© candle-power and that often greatly in excess of requirements, its economy is not so very great. Failing water-power, of which we should have plenty (for what is done jn th© Mississipi can it not be done in th© Wanganui ) undoubtedly tho scheme that proposes to utilise the gas-works in conjunction with the electric power works is one that should commend itself to every thinking person. It is admitted that'electricity must come; every progressive town is installing works; our trams are crying out for more power; so why not make use of what will otherwise prove a costly white elephant and turn it,into a valuable asset? Ranking you, sir, and apologising for trespassing upon your valuable space.—l am, etc., T. MATHER.