I—l 3.

30

[c. c. staßk.

hours a day. I would point out that the calcium-carbide factory is one of those industries that will use current for twenty-four hour's a day for 365 days, and when it is leap-year for 366 days. 73. I suppose you are not aware that there is a Factory Act iii New Zealand? —I know cases where it would be bad policy and really detrimental to an industrial concern to close down a furnace. A furnace, when allowed to cool down, is liable to crack, and a large outlay is required for renewal. 74. Now we have on the next page estimates given for 6,000-horse power : " When the 6,000--horse power of available product is brought into requisition, 8 hours per day will give in revenue £36,500; 16 hours per day will give in revenue £73,000; 24 hours per day will give in revenue £109,500." Is that for 365 days a year?—lt is calculated on that. 75. And you add immediately afterwards, " These may be taken as the lowest estimates of revenues."? —If we can get them. 76. You had something to do with the white book-—the prospectus? —I did not write it. 77. I did not say that you did; but is it correct? —It is, as far as I know. I have not learnt it by heart, but I know of nothing there that is substantially incorrect. 78. You start off in the prospectus with a statement that the company "had for its objects the developing of the water-power of W T aipori Falls and the generating and sale of electricity for motive power and lighting to all classes of consumers, ranging from as far south as Milton (Tokomairiro) to Dunedin, its surrounding boroughs and Port Chalmers, including intermediate districts." Is that correct? —That is our object if we can get remunerative business. 79. And if not remunerative you will not touch them at all? —We shall not. 80. And from your evidence during the last few days it is perfectly clear that you intend to concentrate the business in Dunedin to the exclusion of these outside districts? —I did not say so. 81. Supposing you can concentrate your business in Dunedin you will not serve the outside districts at all? —That is not exactly so. 82. Assume that you can dispose of your power in Dunedin, will you have any power left for the outside districts? Surely you can answer "Yes" or "No"? —I will say "Yes" first, and then modify it and say that by going through a district such as the Taieri, in which our trans-mission-lines can go, we can en route pick up any small business there is, which, if we did not go through the district, we could not possibly pick up, 83. Is it not a fact that the Taieri County Council has refused to give its consent to the line passing through the county unless you give it and the inhabitants one-fifth of your total output; that is to say, if you produce 6,000-horse power you have to give the Taieri County Council the first option of 1,200-horse power? —Yes; a first option of 400-horse power on each 2,000-horse power installation. 84. And that is in addition to the 75-horse power given to the Taieri County Council direct for its own use? —Not in addition, and only when they pay for it. They have to pay for everything they get. 85. That is at a special rate, is it not? —Yes; a lower rate, but not much lower. 86. Have you made provision for supplying any other of the local districts you speak of? — We have not. 87. And were any of those local districts aware until now that in all probability they will get no supply?— Nor are any of them under the same conditions that the Taieri County is. 88. But is not the Bill going through the House on the understanding that these outside districts are going to get a supply? —I do not think my evidence will show that. 89. You have shown us that there is an easy market in Dunedin for 9,000-horse power, while the total amount you can produce is 6,000; and if you are prepared to sell all that you can to Dunedin, what is left for the outside boroughs? —Those who first asked would be first served. 90. And you think Dunedin should come first because you can get the best price there? — They have expressed their desire to come first. 91. What, Dunedin? —Yes, the Dunedin manufacturers. 92. Have you taken the trouble to ascertain how many large consumers of power there are in Dunedin? —I have, up to the extent of about 1,800-horse power. 93. Can you tell us how many consumers of 100-horse power and over there are in Dunedin? -Yes, I can. 94. How many —are there fifty? —1 do not remember that there is that quantity. 95. Are there twenty-five? —Wait a moment; I will tell you exactly. There are five or six. 96. There are five —that is, consuming 100-horse power or over? —Some go over 100-horse power. 97. What is the largest? —The cement-works want 200. 98. Are Messrs. Foster and George sawmillers? Do you not know that they are only jobbing carpenters? —There are in Dunedin no sawmillers proper, as I understand the word. 99. Is it not a fact that these men are simply jobbing builders or carpenters?--They are men who use machines for driving saws, planers, and moulding and cutting machines. 100. How many horse-power do they use? —I think about 15. 101. Would you be surprised to learn that they do not use more than 2-horse power constantly all the year round? —In a water-power proposition we do not consider averages. In other words, we have to take our maximum as the quantity we figure on. 102. Have you made any calculations as to the power that will be required in the other twenty-two local districts? —No, I have not. 103. We take it then that the population of Dunedin City is some twenty-five thousand ?—Yes. 104. What is the population of the districts you propose to serve outside the City of Dunedin ? —I do not know,