LOWER CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 11

LOWER CHARGES.

ELECTRICITY RATES.

SOUTHLAND BENEFITS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, Monday. Stating that it lias been found possible to redeem a promise made durinonegotiations with the Southland PoweBoard, the Minister of Public Works the Hon. R. Semple, has announced a' substantial reduction in his Departments retail electricity rates through the whole of Southland. These apply to afl retail, domestic and farm users,"and consumers on the existing standard tariff, but not to supply authorities and their consumers, who purchase power in bulk for retail purposes. Reductions have-also been made in the tariff to shops, hotels, offices churches, schools and libraries. "Owing to the widespread reticulation, it is impossible to read all of the 12,000 meters on March 31, so the reductions will not start from a particular date but from each consumer's guarantee year. In any case, all accounts commence on the new reduced charges not later than the end of April. The present schedule is for the first 21 units, 6£d per unit, the next 21, 4d, the next 42 2id, and in excess, ljd. The new schedule is: First 221 units, 6d; next 100, 2Jd; next 100, Id.