Power prices rise 4 p.c.

Press, 25 February 1986, Page 7

Power prices rise 4 p.c.

Riccarton households will face electricity price increases of between 4 and 5 per cent this year.

Last evening the Riccarton Borough Council approved an increase of 4.1 per cent for most domestic users. Those with night storage heating face increases of between 4.2 per cent and 4.9 per cent.

On average, domestic users will be charged 4.7 c

per unit of electricity, compared with Christchurch City users, who will be charged 4.854 c. Non-domestic users will face tariff increases of between 4.2 per cent and 5.26 per cent. This is coupled with an increase in the supply charge for all consumers from $2.50 a month to $3. Nondomestic users with more than one form of supply will now have to pay the charge for all supplies

instead of once only. In his estimates, the borough’s electrical engineer, Mr Ed Hitchcock, said the tariff would have had to increase 9.6 per cent to cover increased costs. i However, by using loan money and reducing the conversion of overhead wiring to underground wiring, this was trimmed to the more acceptable figure of about 4 per cent. The Mayor, Mr Dick

Harrington, said keeping the increase down so low was a good achievement. Dog fees

Riccarton Borough’s dog registration fees will Increase $8 this year. Last evening the Borough Council approved a new registration and hydatids fee of $4O. The fee for late registration also rose $1 to $ll. The new fees include the cost of the goods and services tax.