D.—l

Transmission-lines: The second 110 kV. line between Arapuni and Ongarue and the 50 kV. line between Edgecumbe and Te Puke were completed. The erection of the 110 kV. lines between Hamilton and Waihou and Karapiro and Hamilton, and the 50 kV. lines between Arapuni and Maraetai and Bombay and Waiuku, is proceeding. Good progress is being made with the survey of the permanent route of the 110 kV. line from Bunnythorpe to Tuai, and a contract was let for the supply of the steel towers required. Reconnaissance surveys have been made of the northern portion of the Otahuhu-Whakamaru-Bunnythorpe 220 kV. line. 5. Maintenance. —The usual high standard of supply was maintained, despite the many difficulties brought about by wartime conditions. As in previous years, lightning was again responsible for a number of transmission interruptions. 6. Organization.—With a view of increasing efficiency and keeping closer contact with distributing authorities, the two existing districts Hamilton and Palmerston North were reduced in size by the establishment of separate administrative organizations at Auckland and Napier. South Island Electric-power System 1. Capital Outlay.—The capital expenditure on the South Island system (which now includes Cobb Scheme) totalled £9,418,613 at the end of this year, as compared with £8,759,647 at the 31st March, 1944. Details will appear in parliamentary paper 8.-l [Pt. IV] when audited. 2. Financial Results.—A steady increase in revenue comparable to previous years has been maintained, but final figures are not yet available. 3. System Operation. —The maximum demand on the Department's stations increased by 14-4 per cent., from 103,070 kW. last year to 117,890 kW., and the system maximum demand—i.e., with Waipori Station interconnected —was 134,684 kW., an increase of 10-5 per cent. As a precautionary measure against overload at peaks, auxiliary stations were operated during June and July. From sth to 12th December and also on 22nd January it was again necessary to call on the standby stations owing to the failure of Nos. 3 and 4 units at Waitaki. The failure of No. 3 unit was the result of lightning. The maximum flow recorded in the Waitaki River was 57,747 cusecs, on 22nd February. At Lake Coleridge the levels ranged between 1,67145 ft. and 1,673-95 ft. 4. Construction.—Poiver-stations : Highbank : The stator and other equipment in replacement of that lost at sea in 1940 did not arrive here until late in the year. Consequently this station was not ready for service as anticipated. Work is now well advanced and the unit will be ready for commercial load in time for the winter demand. Tekapo : The electrical reticulation system was rebuilt and extended preparatory to the resumption of civil construction. Orders were placed for the generating plant and major items of equipment for this station. Coleridge : The erection of the new outdoor structure was commenced. Substations : The installation of auto-transformers and the erection of a synchronous condenser at Hororata was completed, thus bringing the reconstruction and reorganization of this station to a conclusion. Five cottages for operating and maintenance staff were erected at Addington. Regulating transformer control panels were installed at Winton. Transmission-lines : The survey of the Gore-Invercargill 66 kV. line was completed, plans prepared, and structures located. 5. Operation and Maintenance.—The supply to consumers was not as free from interruption as in previous years,.but nevertheless its reliability and continuity was still of a very high standard. Repairs were effected to Nos. 3 and 4 units at Waitaki, and No. 5 unit at Coleridge was restored into service in August. At Monowai the damage to the control-panel wiring and switchboard instruments caused by the failure of an ironclad machine feeder 0.C.8. when in service was expeditiously attended to. 6. Retail Supply (Southland). —Total sales to all consumers increased by 2,168,270 kilowatt hours, or 6-2 per cent. Supply over new rural extensions was made available during the year to 220 new consumers, with connected load of 3,100 kW. The following table gives a comparison of unit sales and costs to domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers over the years 1936-37, 1943-44, and 1944-45 : —

The term " commercial" includes shops, street lighting, milking-motors, and other rural power, &c.

10

1936-37. 1943-44. 1944-45. _ Units. Unit, Costper Costper d. d. d. Domestic .. .. 5,739,138 2-70 8,493,215 2-04 9,152,261 2-00 Commercial .. .. 1,961,202 3-03 4,756,578 1-79 5,201,659 1-68 Industrial .. .. 8,112,392 0-92 8,144,322 1-00 8,369,773 1-00