CHARGES FOR POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 262, 5 November 1929, Page 9

CHARGES FOR POWER.

TRANSPORT BOARD DECISION. TO CONFER WITH POWER BOARD. JOINT REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT. LOWER RATES IN THE SOUTH. With a view to ascertaining if anything can be clone to reduce the charge of power, the Auckland Transport Board to-day appointed representatives to confer with the Auckland Electric Power Board. The matter was brought under the notice of the board by the manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, "in view of remarks made by some members of the board and views expressed in the newspapers legardinp the cost of electric current for the board's tramways." Mr. Ford presented a schedule which showed that the present cost of power as supplied, at the direct current bus bars in the four main centres is as follows: — a nekland i- 0 ™ P cr un ! t WellinKton Sr.fHl per unit XSteCdT SiSSSE2!!t Duuedln ' 00d P° r unit The estimated payments for the year ended March 31, 1930, were as follow: — 17,305,000 units nt Auckland rate, 1.076 d, equals £77,.j50. B - nA 17,303,601) units at Wellington rate. .SoOfl, equals £61,200—reduction, fc16,206. 17 305,009 units at Christchurch rate, .848 d., equals £01,1 JO—reduction, £10,440. 17,303.00!) units at Dnnedin rate, .700 d, equals £50,064—reduction, £Jo.o^-. In 1928 the payment in Auckland for 19,790,843 units at the rate of l.lOod was £90.102, while for the year ended March 31, 1929, for. 18,336,320 units "at the rate of 1.070 d the payment was £82,207. On Basis of Minimum Consumption. "It has to be remembered," the manager's report stated, "that an agreement as to cost of power was entered into in January of this year, but, bearing in mind the material effect which the cost of power has on our total undertaking, I feel compelled to bring the matter before the board with a view to ascertaining if anything can be done.to make the charge in Auckland comparable with the charges in Southern centres. "It will be remembered," the report continued, "that when the Government negotiated for the supply of power from Arapuni they based their original price to the Auckland Power Board on a minimum consumption, and as this consumption has been very largely exceeded they may perhaps be approached with the request that their prime charges be reconsidered." . "There is no suggestion of entering into a controversy with the Power Board," said the chairman, Mr. J. A. C. 'Allum, in moving that the report be adopted and that Messrs. Rhodes and Phelan and the chairman be empowered to go into the matter with the Power Board and report back 11 the board.

Fair Treatment Acknowledged. "Neither is there any suggestion that at any time- the Power Board has not treated us fairly," Mr. Allum said. "I am of opinion that their treatment has been fair, and that the advice given by their officers has been proper advice. The point is that we do pay more than centres in the South, and that goes back farther than the Auckland Power Board." The chairman proceeded to show why transport undertakings in the south were able to obtain power at lower charges than those ruling in Auckland. He said they might' discuss with the Power Board the possibility of a readjustment, and collectively the two boards might represent to the Government that Auckland should not be penalised by being charged for power from Arapuni at rates which were higher than those in southern centres. He wished to make it clear that there was no suggestion that the board should go back on its agreement. Mr. E. J. Phclan seconded the resolution, and pointed out that in the south the tramway authorities had their own distributing centres. The manager said that had been taken into consideration in computing costs.

No Quarrel With Boara. "We have no quarrel with the Power Board," said Mr. M. J. Coylc, "but there is no harm in approaching them for a heavier discount. Mr. E. H. Potter maintained that if the board was considering the item of power charges in the south in relation to costs and revenue, they should also consider the question of fares charged in southern centres as compared with'those in Auckland. Ho reminded members that in Wellington fares for passengers as well as charges for power were lower. The charge of I.OTCd per unit delivered to the direct current switchboard in Auckland was as near to cost as it was possible to get. Mr. G. Baildon: What figures are you quoting? Mr. Potter: Figures I have obtained from the Power Board. Mr. Baildon: Do you expect us to carry them in our head. At toe request of the chairman, the board's engineer, Mr. F. E. de Guerrier, reviewed the history of power supply in Auckland. Coming to the recent agreement, he said it was a really good one. "I do not see that ws can expect the Power Board to supply at a lower charge than they are doing," he added, "but what we feel is that the two boards may combine and go to the Government with a request for power to be supplied to Auckland at a lower cost."

Seeking for Light. In supporting the motioi., Mr. iL. E. Rhodes remarked that it might be unfortunate that Mr. Potter was a member of both boards. If pqrer could be obtained cheaper the board might be able to reduce costs of operating and pass on the benefit to users of the services. (Hear, hear). Mr. A. J. Entrican said the late electrical engineer in Auckland, Mr. Wylie, had always maintained that he could produce power from coal on the waterfront cheaper than ever it would be supplied by the Government. "Mr. Potter has claimed that his figures will throw light on the matter," said the speaker, "but 'if the light that is in him is darkness how great is that darkness.'" (Laugliter). Mr. Potter: I was trying to give you some enlightening information. The chairman said he thought the proposed conference should throw light on points raised.