POWER SUPPLY RATES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 7

POWER SUPPLY RATES

REDUCTION IN SOUTH

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, March 6.

Saying that it had been found possible to redeem the promise made during negotiations with the Southland Power Board, the Minister of Public Works, (the Hon. R. Semple) announces a substantial reduction in his Department's retail electricity rates through the whole of Southland. These apply to all retail, domestic, and farm Users, and the consumers' existing standard tariff, but not to the supply authorities and their consumers, who purchase power in bulk for retail purposes. Reductions have also been made in the tariff to shops, hotels, offices, churches, schools and libraries.

"Because of the widespread reticulation it will be impossible to read all of the 12,000 meters on March 31 so the reductions wil| not start, on a particular date, but from each consumer's guarantee year," Mr.. Semple said. "In any case all accounts will begin on the' new reduced charges not later than the end of April."

The present schedule is: First 21 units, 6Jd a unit; next 21, 4d;' next 42, 2|d: excess, ljd. The new schedule is: First 22 units,' 6d: next 100 2Jd: next 100, Id. Th.ere are also reductions on Tanges;'?ft£Bia4pTs, irons, radios, and cleaners.: !

The Minister estimates that the reductions' will aggregate £ 10,000 a year.