ELECTRIC POWER IN THE HOME.

Western Star, 23 March 1920, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER IN THE HOME.

STRIKING TESTIMONY AS TO ITS VALUE. The Southland Electric Power Board has received numbers of communications from users of Electric power testifying as to its efficiency, economy, and value in the home. Mr GT. J. Scott, Bank street, Lindisfarne, has written as follows:— “I havo now had considerable experience in the use of electricity in my home, and have no hesitation in stating that I am thoroughly satisfied with the results. I use electric current for cooking, heating, ironing, lighting and water heating. , There is no question whatever but that electricity saves an immense amount of laboiir in the home. My experience lias satisfied me that it is much more economical than coni and that the cooking with the even heat secured electrically is superior to the ordinary range method. I recently erected a new house and it- has one chimney only. The saving made in culling out the other chimneys more than paid for the whole of my electrical fittings and the installation thereof. I intend to vote for the hydro-electrio power loan and am strongly advising all my friends to do likewise.”

Mrs A. Hain, of Kemiington, writes as follows:—“I have been requested to express my views on the question of the value of electricity from the point of view of a housewife. I have not the slightest hesitation in announcing myself as being absolutely satisfied with the results that I personally have obtained from my own experience. I do my cooking, hot water heating and ironing with electric power, in fact everything necessary in my home is done electrically. I aim willing at any time to give those interested an opportunity to inspect my electric appliances which are of the ordinary variety. As to the cooking, I really do not known what I would do if I had to go back to the coal range. There is no doubt whatever that cooking with electricity is satisfactory in every respect. The heat can be regulated and kept even, made high, low or medium by the mere turning of a button. Then, if one’s attention has to be given to other matters the heat can be so regulated that the article being cooked can bo left to .simmer without the slightest fear of spoiling anything. At my homo the heating of the milk for the calves, the separating of honey, etc., is all done with electricity. I cannot understand) anyone speaking or writing against the utility of electric current in the home. My own experience has: con - vinced me, and numbers of others who have seen my appliances in use, that electricity will be a perfect blessing to the mothers and housewives of Southland. I really don’t understand anyone doubting it for a moment.”

Mr Henry H. Fowler, well-known throughout Southland as a molmbei of the Electric Power Board, gives hi> testimony in the following terms: “ Notwithstanding that demonstrations and other means have been adopted to give publicity to the uses of electricity in the home, doubts of its actual utility still appear to exist in the minds fo some. This being so, it is incumbent upon those who have had actual experience to make their opinion as widely known as possible. In, this connection the letter in the colnmins of the ‘Southland Times 7 of March 17th from Mr Scott is apt. and to the point-. I have had a. cooking installation in use for the last eighteen months. It has been satisfactory in every respect. It is clean, convenient, economical and efficient, indeed so efficient ns to completely outclass the ordinary method of cooking by coal. As to economy, even at Invercargill rates I have grave doubts whether coal, at least of a quality obtainable, can attempt to compete with it. In use, its heat can be regulated to a nicety, while the fact of its being ever ready is not the least desirable of its characteristics. When the time comes that abundant current is available at the rates quoted for Southland its convenience and utility will still further be increased, while its economy will be made still more evident. I am satisfied that no ratepayer need hesitate to vote in favour of the loan at the forthcoming poll from any doubts as to the value of electricity when once obtained. This district (Kenuiugton) bias been served from the Invercargill mains for some eighteen months. Practically every house. is connected at least, for light while many use other conveniencesandi every power plant within reach i is electrically driven. This includes' milking machines, cutlery works, 1 dairy factory and two fell-mongeries.”