Charges for Electric Power

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 266, 5 August 1932, Page 13

Charges for Electric Power

Sir, —Ac an old Wellingtonian now resident in Dunedin, 1 have been interested in a controversy that has recently taken place in Dunedin between Mrs. McCombs, chairman of the municipal electrical department, Christchurch, and Mr. J. J. Marlow, who bolds a similar position in the electric power and light department, Dunedin. The point at issue was whether rates charged for electric supply in Christchurch were lower than those charged in Dunedin, and I am satisfied that Mrs. McCombs has proved her case, at any rate so far as domestic supply is concerned. One statement made by Mr. Marlow is of special interest where he says that for the year ended March 31, 1931. Wellington paid £28,0T0 more than Christchurch for the same maximum demand. Can you, Sir, inform me if this statement is correct, and, if so, why Christchurch is in such a fortunate position compared to Wellington?—l am, etc., “WELLINGTONIAN.” Dunedin, July 20. [An officer of the Wellington electric lighting department furnishes the following reply to “Wellingtonian’s” query: —“With reference to the statement reported to have been made by a Dunedin councillor that Wellington paid £28,000 more than ’Christchurch for power, it is not possible to make a true comparison in the absence of particulars of the quarterly demands of the Christchurch council. The Christchurch council purchases current from the Public Works Department under what has been termed the “Waimakariri” agreement, the rates in which, it is understood, are based on the annua] maximum demand in kilowatts. Reference to the Public Works Statement for the year ended March 31, 1931, shows that the demand of Christchurch for that year was 15,145 K.W., and the amount paid £83,103. The standard rates of the Public Works Department are as follow First 200 K.W., £lO per K.W. per annum;- over 200 and under 5000 K.W., £8 per K.W. per annum; all over 5000 K.W., £7 per K.W. per annum These rates are chargeable on the quarterly demands and not on the annual demand, which Councillor Marlow appears to have overlooked when arriving at the figure of £28,000, evidently computed as follows:— „ 2 First 200 K.W., at £lO 2,000 Over 200 and up to 5000 K.W., £8 38.400 Balance up to 15,145, at £7 ... 71,015 Annual charge under standard tariff 111,415 Amount paid by Christchurch 83,103 £28,312 These figures have been arrived at by assuming that the load of 15,145 K.W. was the average of the quarterly demands and not the maximum mid-winter demand. In Wellington the demand during the summer quarters is relatively small compared with the winter period, and consequently the amount paid annually to the Public Works Department was considerably less than would have been the case if the charge had been based on the mid-winter peak. The amount paid to the Public Works Department by the Wellington City Council for the year ended March 31, 1931, was £73,574.]