ASHBURTON POWER BOARD

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25629, 19 October 1948, Page 3

ASHBURTON POWER BOARD

INCREASED CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY The application by the Ashburton Electric Power Board for an increase in its charges had been approved by the Price Control Division, said the chairman (Mr W. H. Woods) at a meeting of the board yesterday. The increased charge will come into operation on November 19. The new rates are as follows: Domestic: first 17 units cost 6d, then the previous descending scale. (Previously the reduced scale began after 14 units.) Commercial: first 50 units cost 7d, next 100 units cost 6d, and then descending scale. (Previously the first 150 units cost 6d.) Commercial heating: first 60 units cost 3d (previously 2d), second 60 cost 2d (previously IJd), balance l|d (previously Id). Power: a demand charge of £1 •10s a k.v.a. a quarter plus a unit charge of 0.625 d (previously all on unit charges). Water heating charges would not be affected and storage ranges, except that three extra units would have to be paid for, would ‘ also" be unaffected. said the engineer-secretary (Mr H. G. Kemp). The charges for storage ranges were ridiculously low—l4s a month, said Mr Bfyant. The ranges were also being abused, evc.i irons being heated on them, he added. “We have not provided for an extra increase there,” said Mr Wqods. "We must not lose sight of the fact that the domestic consumer is the board’s best customer.” he said. The increases had been budgeted to cover increased costs, said Mr S. P. Taylor. The board was still carrying the loss caused by the snowstorm, said Mr W. J. Gallagher. The increased charges just took the board away from the breadline, said Mr Woods. The board did not want to make a big profit, but to make itself secure. Probably the board was the last institution that had increased its charges, he said.

The costs would work out evenly to all consumers—about 10s or 12s a year, said Mr Woods.