"ee 
a) 
XCVIII. T. ROOKE, 
Before any scheme for pumping water by electricity in 
Australia could be suggested, it was necessary to produce 
electricity at a price to compare with that for which it is 
produced in California. Until recently, at all events, cheap 
electricity in California was derived from water power, 
although coal and oil fuel are now being used to some 
extent also. Following the great improvements recently 
made in steam turbines, and the latent possibilities of 
large gas engines, it is probable that much greater 
developments will take place in the near future. 
There are practically no water powers in Australia as 
in California and resort must be made to coal. Until quite 
recently, electricity could not be purchased in Sydney at a 
lower price than 3d.a unit. This price was not unreasonahle 
taking all things into account. The author does not think 
it is unfair however, to say that recently there has been a 
gvenuine attempt to provide cheap electricity, not merely for 
lighting purposes, but for industrial purposes generally. 
The average daily load curve on the Council’s plant 
shows that during a large part of the day much of 
the machinery is idle, and must by the very nature 
of things remain idle. Suppose, however, that it was 
not idle, the additional cost to the Council would not 
exceed ‘342d. per unit sold. All charges except variable 
charges remain unaltered. It is better then, that the 
Council should sell at any price exceeding say $d. a unit 
during those portions of the 24 hours, than that the plant 
should remain idle. The cost of transmission lines and the 
losses in transmission, within a radius of 50 miles at any 
rate, need not exceed the present costs, provided that 
overhead construction, instead of underground construction 
is adopted as in America, and provided that the voltage is 
raised suitably. A scheme for transmitting electricity 
inland some 50 miles or so, through Ashfield, Burwood, 
