Engineering and Trading

The Department, operating on a strictly commercial basis, designs and arranges for the construction of hydro-electric and other schemes, builds transmission lines for the distribution of power, and maintains and operates the completed networks. Power is supplied to electric power boards and other distributing authorities, who in turn sell it to consumers. Head Office in Wellington is a clearing house for the work of District Offices in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Palmerston North, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. The work of the Department is carried out largely by professional engineers, draughtsmen, technicians and tradesmen, and general administrative staff.

The control room at Hay wards Substation, Wellington, which will be the first vital North Island link with the Benmore-Cook Strait power transmission lines. The General Manager of the N.Z. Electricity Department, Mr. A. E. Davenport, accompanied by Mr. C. E. Taylor, Managing Director of A.S.E.A., speaks with Mr. H. J. Withers, Substation operator.