1.-13.

14

[W. G. T. GOODMAN.

more than half of £3 45., as the total conversion charges are practically a fixed item and have to be debited evenly over the total power supplied. 215. Supposing you wanted that 500-horse power for the purpose of tramways, you would not require this expense of £3 4s. ? —You say if we wanted 500-horse power —for what purpose ? 216. Your tramways. Assume that you are getting your power from Lee Stream and it is deficient, and you require 500-horse power in addition: could that not be served to you without the expense to you of the £3 4s. that you mentioned? —Yes, if it had not to be converted and was to be used for general purposes, but if required for tramways the £3 4s. would have to be added. 217. You told us that the estimated cost to the City Corporation will be £4 12s. per horsepower per annum for twenty-four hours a day? —Yes. 218. What is the average cost of steam-power in Dunedin as compared with that? —That i.; very hard to say. 219. Have you not estimated that? —It is costing the tramway £29 per annum for seventeen hours a day. This cost is per electrical hoise-power, and includes all charges, such as rent, management, iuterest, sinking fund, and depreciation, in addition to fuel and water, &c. 220. And the estimate for electrical power was for twenty-four hours? —Yes; but when our plant is fully loaded the cost will be reduced to £20 per annum. 221. Against £4 12s. for electrical horse-power for the twenty-four hours? —That is so; but you must not confuse the figures- those I quote only relate to tramway electrical power. There is no other modern up-to-date steam plant in Dunedin. A proper steam plant designed with condensers would reduce the cost considerably. 222. How much less? —That is hard to say, as it depends on various conditions. Say, 20 per cent. less. 223. That would still leave over £15 for seventeen hours as compared with £4 12s. for twenty-four hours? —Yes. 224. Now, if a power costing less than one-fourth of steam were available in Dunedin in unlimited supply, would it not call into existence manufactories which are not there at present? — I should say so, to a certain extent. 225. You have familiarised yourself with the literature on the subject of electrical energy and the industries which electrical energy have called into existence? —You mean such as the manufacture of calcium-carbide? 226. Yes. Is there any reason why that should not find a home in Dunedin? —No. 227. What energy would a calcium-carbide factory require?—lt depends upon the output. 228. Supposing you get such a factory started in Dunedin for supplying the market of New Zealand, am I wrong in suggesting that it would require one-horse power per ton per annum to produce it? —No. 229. Would it be extravagant to suggest that such a factory would require at least 2,000-horse power ? —That, of course, I could not say; it would depend on the output. 230. Do you think it would be out of the way, looking at New Zealand and its possible growth, to say that 2,000-horse power would be required for a carbide-factory ?—I would not contradict anything based on assumption. 231. What other factories do you think might be called into existence?--Some others. 232. Give us a few? —I cannot call them to mind just now. 233. Could you give me an illustration of how many have been called into existence around Niagara in consequence of the development of electrical energy there ?—Niagara is slightly different from Dunedin, you must admit. 234. Well, you say you have a steam-power of 900? —Yes. 235. You have told the Committee that it is costing you £20 per annum, whereas electrical energy will cost £4 12s. ? —Yes. 236. Will you continue to use steam-power when electrical energy is available?—lt would hardly be economical commercially to do so. 237. What would jou do with your engines?— The plant will be kept as a stand-by. 238. Then, under ordinary normal conditions your 900-horse power will be dormant?— That is the intention; but it could be brought into use during peak loading hours. 239. It was put by Mr. Hay that it was well to have a stand-by in that way, because accidents might happen ? —Yes. 240. Do you know that in many towns in America, where more than one electrical company is allowed to take power, there is between the two companies an agreement that in the event of an accident the power of one company is available to the other? —Yes. 241. Is that not done in New York?— Yes, and in many other places. 242. So that you would not require a stand-by of steam if such an arrangement was made between the Corporation and the Waipori Company. I understand that you approve of the adoption of the Taieri and Lee Stream scheme? —Yes. 243. Did you make your own estimate of the cost of the hydraulic work?— No. 244. Who supplied those estimates ?—The City Council. 245. Can you tell me whether the estimates supplied to you then have not been increased? In point of fact, am I right in saying that the estimates supplied and on which your recommendation proceeded have been falsified to such an e;rtent as to require quadrupling?—No, you are not right 246. Well, to what extent ?—I do not know that any of the estimates have been falsified 247. What had the original estimates to be increased by?— About double; but it is a different scheme entirely. In the first scheme we had miles of races, which would cost a considerable amount for maintenance. Tn the present scheme we have a tunnel, on which the cost of maintenance is practically nil.