W. G. T. GOODMAN.]

35

1.—13.

67. At any rate, whatever figures are given are outside of the demands that might be made by the outside local bodies? —Yes. 68. May I ask you to check your calculations regarding Dunedin in the light of the experience of Wellington. I will ask you as to a few contrasts. You are aware that long before the electricallighting company was started in Wellington there was a city Corporation gasworks ? The Wellington City Corporation gasworks existed for many years before the Wellington Electrical-lighting Company commenced operations? —That is news to me. I have not followed up the history of Wellington. 69. Before the electric-lighting company started our streets were lighted with gas; now they are lighted with electricity? —Yes. 70. Is there reason to expect that that change will not take place in Dunedin? —Yes. I have already expressed my opinion with regard to Dunedin. It differs altogether from Wellington. The city-lighting here is done under an arrangement with a private company. The City Council granted concessions to a private company for lighting —they made certain arrangements witn regard to electric lighting, and probably the City Council get it very cheaply, because the company have the right to run their mains through the streets. 71. What company? —The Electric Lighting Syndicate. 72. Do you know what the City of Wellington paid for gas before it turned to electricity? —No. 73. Then you cannot contrast the two? —I said " probably." 74. I put it to you that your assumption is wrong, and I will show that it is. The change made from gas to electricity for considerations of utility, safety, and facility of lighting, and so on —I ask whether you think that change will not take place in Dunedin ? —I certainly do not know where the question of safety comes in in the matter of gas versus electricity for street-lighting. 75. We understand that in the old days the gas used to blow out frequently? —We cannot compare Wellington and Dunedin when considering the wind. 76. You think that 700-horse power would supply all the needs down in Dunedin? —Yes. 77. In estimating that, what are you allowing for electrical street-lighting? —We are already preparing for the electric lighting of our main streets. I have already stated the quantity of power required for that purpose, and the power required for lighting the other streets by incandescent electric lamps will be very small. 78. Can you give us any idea of what it will be? —Not more than about 80-horse power. 79. You engineers differ a great deal. We had the evidence of Mr. Stark that it would be a very great deal more than that. You say there will be little change from gas to electricity in private houses ? —There will be. Ido not think the average householder is going to change. 80. You take it on the assumption that the tenant would not change from gas to electricity: Are you aware of the fact that only a small proportion of the houses in Wellington are now lighted by gas ? —I know that a good many are. 81. Frequently you find gas and electricity in the same house? —Yes. 82. You said that if there are twenty jets of gas in a house the people do not turn them off on going into another room, but that in the case of electric light they switch it off. Now, is that not economy a very strong reason why the owner of a house should instal electricity? —I admit that when it applies to the owner. 83. And if a house is supplied with electricity and a tenant can live in it more cheaply on that account, he will be able to pay a higher rent? —What is the saving going to amount to? 84. You said there was an economy? —That is so, but the saving would be so small that an average householder would not go to the expense of installing electric light. 85. Mr. MacGregor seems to exclude heating by electricity from our field. If the Committee eliminate from the Bill the right to introduce electrical energy for heating purposes we shall be shut out from the manufacture of calcium-carbide?-—I do not think you can interpret "heating " in that way. The ordinary interpretation is that it is for domestic heating purposes. If you require electrical energy for the purpose of manufacturing calcium-carbide, then you require it as power; power in that case being used in the form of heat-energy. Mr. MacGregor: I meant heat for domestic cooking. Dr. Findlay: Very well; so long as that has been defined we know where we are. 86. Mr. MacGregor.] You were asked about the change that took place in Wellington when electric lighting was introduced, and we are told it was fourteen years ago? —Yes. 87. I think that was in regard to street-lighting: 1 think that was before the general advent of the incandescent mantle ? —Yes, decidedly so —fourteen years ago. 88. That would make an enormous difference in the ability of gas to compete with electricity, both in street-lighting and for private use? —Yes. 89. Mr. Fowlds.] You referred to the amount of power that would be available, including that under the Taieri scheme? —Yes. 90. Did you make it clear before what would be the extra cost of bringing in the Taieri power? —No, I have not gone into those figures. 91. You cannot give us an estimate? —No. 92. Your estimate is that there will be about 2,000-horse power from the Taieri Stream? —Yes..

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation not given; printing (1,425 copies) £19 10s.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o4.

Price Is.']