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The magnitude of the shortage also precludes the consideration of Diesel-electric plant. The whole subject of electric supply must now be reviewed in the light of present conditions, but I am certain that the electrical needs of New Zealand can best be met by the concentration of effort upon the major hydro-electric schemes. Any other method of dealing with the problem could result only in delays to the main projects and consequent further deterioration of the power position. NORTH ISLAND ELECTRIC-POWER SYSTEM A. SYSTEM OPERATION AND LOAD DESPATCH 1. Load The maximum half-hourly load on the system was 314,800 kW. This occurred on Monday, 18th November, 1946, between 17.00 and 17.30 hours. Last year the halfhourly peak was 306,400 kW., on Thursday, 24th May, 1945, between 17.30 and 18.00 hours. The highest Saturday peak was 281,300 kW. between 17.30 and 18.00 hours on both Bth June and the 29th June, 1946. Last year the half-hourly peak was 273,700 kW. between 17.30 and 18.00 hours on 21st July. The highest Sunday peak was 267,900 kW. between 11.30 and 12.00 hours on 29th September, compared with 239,200 kW. on 6th May last year. The greatest weekly generation was 35,630,000 units on the week ending Ist September, 1947, and week ending 17th November, 1947 (last year 34,169,000 units), an increase of 4-3 per cent. The maximum units on any one day was 5,567,000 (last year, 5,232,000). This occurred on Monday, 21st October, 1946, and represented an increase of 6-3 per cent. The highest Saturday output was 4,819,000 units on 9th November, 1946 (last year, 4,643,000), an increase of 3*B per cent. The highest Sunday output was 4,474,000 units on 29th September, 1946 (last year, 4,173,000), an increase of 7-2 per cent. The total system units generated by all plants in the North Island for the financial year ending 31st March, 1947, was 1,718,000,000 compared with 1,636,000,000 last year, an increase of 5 per cent. The system units generated by Government-owned plants only plus units purchased from Supply Authorities were 1,656,300,000 units for the year ending 31st March, 1947, compared with 1,576,000,000 units last year, an increase of s*l per cent. On Thursday, 29th August, 1946, the rationing schedules were lifted and Supply Authorities were allowed to revert to the allocation operating in January, 1946. This caused the units to rise to the peak for the year, and the output was maintained at a high value until March, 1947. After repeated warnings to the Supply Authorities had been given without appreciable effect, great trouble was experienced and load had to be shed without other than a general warning. Following this a new Control Order was gazetted which had the effect of stabilizing the position, and heavy rationing was put into operation. In this common effort most Supply Authorities and their consumers combined most effectively to make the rationing scheme successful and the draw upon storage was lessened sufficiently for the purpose. The introduction of heavy rationing introduced many operating difficulties which were successfully overcome, and at the present time approximately half of the rationing in the North Island has been relaxed.

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