POWER SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 124, 21 November 1925, Page 11

POWER SUPPLY

CITY UNDER GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION CHANGE-OVEB APPEAL BOABD. Practically all local bodies distributing electrical power in JNTew Zealand have done so from their inception under license from the Government and under the supervision of the Public Works Department, but not so in the case of the Wellington City Council up till 10th inst., when an Order-in-Couneil was issued notifying the.issue of a license for Wellington. As far us power supply, prices, and so on arc concerned the new order will not affect the consumer; the. license merely places Wellington very much on a-footing with other towns served by electricity. Wellington's isolation in the matter of regulations came about from (he purchase of the Wellington Electric Light and Power Company's entire works in 1907, and iho taking-over also of the speciaj charter granted to that company, whereas in. nearly every other instance —it must be remembered that the Lighting and Power Company was very early in the electrical field in New Zealand, Wellington streets being first lighted by electricity in 1889 —operations were commenced under Government license. It was an open secret in the past that the council was epposed to the .taking away of rights which it had obtained in taking over the charter, and the present position has not been arrived at without considerable discussion. As Wellington's case is different from that of other towns supplied by electrical power, certain special clauses appear in the Order-in-Coun-cil, but generally the provisions are according to form. Maximum rates for lighting, and- for heating and power, are set out, Sd, id, respectively, or a maximum of 6d and 3d if. accounts are paid within fourteen days. Those are maximum rates, subject to discount, .as at .present, and will not affect the consumer's account.

The-change-over position is referred to in the document in the tame manner as regards classification of installations and the allocation oi cost as decided upon by the council, and tlio required authority is given for the sotting up of an appeal board. As tho matter is one of very general interest, these- clauses are given in full: — Classification.—The consumers' installations shall be classified ns follows: —. (a) Installations in which the wiring ra found to ho in accordance with the licensee's rules and regulations adopted on 17th December, 1908, and only requiro alterations necessitated by the change of system; (b) installations in which the wiring is found to be defective under the licensee's rules and regulations adopted on 17th December, 1903; (c) installations in which the wiring is worn out by effluxion of time or service, and under any conditions of supply would require to be re-wired within a short period. Allocation of Cost.—The cost of alterations shall he allocated as follows: — Class (a).: The whole of the cost shall be paid by the licensee, provided always that in the ease of extensions and . alterations which have not been authorised by the licensee the cost of alterations thereto shall be borne by 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 licensee. Class' (c): The whole cost shall be paid by .the consumer. In cases where the consumers, do not desire to pay in full at the time of the alterations the cost for which they are liable, the whole of such work shall be carried out by the licensee through contractors or its own servants, and the whole of such cost or any portion of same shall, unless tho licensee and the consumer shall 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 that* regular accounts for the supply of eleaVrifcity. ' All work under clauses (a) and (b) affected by this clause shall, unless otherwise agreed between the licensee and the consumer, be carried out by the Corporation. ' . •, In case of any dispute arising in respect of matters affected by this clause between the licensee and a consumer, a, Board of Appeal (whose decision shall bo final) shall be set up to decide such dispute, which Board of Appeal shall consist of the following:—(1) C"ne re" presentative appointed by the licensee; (2) one -representative appointed by the consumer on whose premises the alterations arc necessary; (3) the'senior Stipendiary Magistrate for tho City of ■Wellington (who shall bo chairman).