ELECTRIC POWER

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 48, 20 November 1925, Page 9

ELECTRIC POWER

CHANGING THE SYSTEM LICENSE ISSUED TO CORPORATION A license giving the Wellington City Council statutory authority to deal with the electric power change-over undertaking was issued by Order-in-Coun-cil last night. For about 30 years the corporation worked under the Electric Lighting Act, but now that a supply of current is being received from the Government, the works will be carried out under what is known as a standard license. One effect of the license will be to bring the electrical undertaking under the jurisdiction and control of the Public Works Department. It sets out the conditions under which, the change-over will be conducted," and provides for the appointment of an appeal board to deal with disputes that may arise between the council and the consumer.

System of Supply. Dealing with the system of supply the regulations stipulate that the primary distribution voltages shall be approximately 11,000 volts and 3300 volts between phases. In so far as the introduction of the system of supply authorised bv the license involves a change from the svstem of supplying at a pressure of 105 volts and at a periodicity of 80 cycles per second to any other voltage or to any other periodicity, such change shall be effected subject to the following conditions: — The consumers’ installations shall be classified as follow :—(a) Installations in which the wiring is found to be in accordance with'the council’s rules and regulations adopted on December 17, 1908, and only require alterations necessitated by tlie 'change of system; (b) installations in which the wiring is found to be defective under the council’s rules and regulations adopted on December 17, 1908; (c) installations in which the wiring is worn out. by effluxion of time or service, and under anv conditions of supply would require to bevrewired within a short period.

Cost of Alterations. The cost of alterations is allocated as follows.— Class (a' The whole of the cost shall be paid bv the council, provided always that in 'the case of extensions and alterations which have not been authorised by it the cost of alterations thereto shall be botne bv the consumer. Class (b) : The cost of removing all defects shall be paid by the consumer and the cost of alterations due to change in system shall be paid by the council. Class (c) : The whole cost shall be paid bv the consumer. In cases where the consumers do not desire to par in full at the time of the alterations, the cost for which they are liable, the whole of the work shall be carried out bv the council through contractors or its own servants,. and the whole of the cost or any portion of it shall, unless the council and the consumer agree otherwise, be carried out under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, or any statutory modification thereof as to payment. Provision may be made for consumers to pay the instalments due with their regular accounts for the supply of electricity. '■ ~ All work under clauses (a) and (b) affected by this clause, shall, unless otherwise agreed between the council and the/consumer, be carried out by the corporation.

Appointment of Appeal Board. In the event of any dispute arising m respect of matters affected by this clause between the council and a consumer, a Board of Appeal (whose decision shall be final) shall be set up to ■decide such dispute, which Board ot Appeal shall consist of the following. —(1) One representative appointed by tbe council; (2) one representative appointed bv the consumer on whose premises the alterations are necessary (3) the senior Stipendiary Magistrate for the city of Wellington (who shall be chairman).. Prior to the issue of the license no statutory authority existed for the setting up of an appeal board.

CJiarges for Electrical Energy. Among other regulations is a provision, that the charge ioi electrical energy shall not exceed Bd. per unit for lighting purposes, and 4d. per unit for motor power, heating,, or cooking purposes; provided that “lighting purposes” shall include the operation of motor generators for lighting purposes; and provided further that if acconiits are paid within fourteen days of due date the charges shall not exceed 6d. per unit for lighting purposes and 3d. per unit for motor power, heating, or cooking purposes. Nothing in tins clause shall prevent the council adopting a svstanL of charging whereby one meter regisSrs current for lighting, heating, and/or cooking, and of the current so registered a portion assessed by the council shall be charged at lighting rates, and the balance at heating and cooking rates.