Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1938. THE POWER BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 185, 19 May 1938, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1938. THE POWER BOARD.

The reports that were presented at the annual meeting of the Ashburton Electric Power Board fully justify the statement that that body experienced during the last financial year the most successful period of its fifteen years existence. The progress has been in both financial results and general developments. For this most satisfactory position the Board and its staff deserve the thanks of ' the community. The development has been due to the policy of providing services at the lowest possible cost. 1 his policy has, however, had its accompaniment of sound finance, a combination that, as is well known, does not obtain m connection with all similar undertakings in the Dominion. The continued growth of the system is due to the far-seeing lines on which it was established. At the outset care was taken to include in the reticulation area only such districts as could be reasonably expected to yield a profit on the expenditure, even with the minimum demand for current. The advantages of the system being thus demonstrated, the use of electricity embraced an ever-widening field and, as the position of the board became more assured, districts outside the original scheme were included. In some of these districts the first results may have been benefit to the residents rather than profits for the board, but with the widening of the uses to which current is applied the revenue returns are becoming increasingly more satisfactory. Evidence of this extension of application is afforded by the fact that the average revenue per unit sold has again fallen, owing to the increasing sales of current at the lower tariff rate. This is an aspect of advantage to both supplier and consumer. The Board still has the revenue from the higher rates as the basis of its finance. The consumer has power for the performance of various activities at rates that do not add greatly to the amount due under his lighting bill, while the extra cost is more than offset by the value of the services rendered. In his report the chairman referred to the question of reduction of charges. His remarks are an indication that the desirability of action in this matter has engaged the attention of the Board. But he pointed out that an unexpected charge on the revenue in connection with the office building makes it advisable to delay such a step. The estimates for the coming year show a surplus of £3OOO, from which any outlay on the building will be provided. With the general trend of the business it may be expected that a reasonable margin of profit will be continued* giving rise to the hope that it will not be long before consumers will receive concessions that will cause the use of electricity to be even more popular than it is at present.