Power Board Policy is Outlined

Grey River Argus, 19 April 1948, Page 8

Power Board Policy is Outlined

The Buller Electric Power Board at ’its recent meeting, considered a lengthy report presented by the organising secretary, Mr G. A. Fowler, in regard to policy , when the Board commences the supply of electricity. Where settlement is scattered, or there are isolated people , requiring electricity,;, it, will be necessary to secure guarantees from prospective consumers sufficiently to ensure that enough revenue will be received to at least make the extensions economic. The amount of energy purchased by consumers on guaranteed lines is allowed at' the end- of the year as a credit against the amount guaranteed. For instance, if a- consumer guaranteed to use £lO worth of energy during the -year, and actually used <£lo worth, then no guarantee would be called up for that year. The report recommended that when guarantees are required/ they be on the basis of 18 per cent, on the capital cost of the extension, and that the period of the guarantee be ten years. In a case where-the proposed extension is for use in an industry that has only a short period of life, then a special guarantee, sufficient to protect the Board would be entered into. Oh the motion of Messrs Mclntyre and Connew, the recommendation was adopted. A recommendation was made in the report that provision be made by the I Board for advances' to consumers for the purpose of wiring houses, purchasing ranges and other equipment, and for installations in cow sheds 'and the like. Consumers are to be I advanced un to £lOO for this purpose !on a deposit of 15 per cent, of the i advance required with interest at bank rate as charged to the Board. Loans are to be for a period of four I years, and repayable quarterly. The suggestions were agreed to. i The Board adopted a recommenda- ; tion that it provide free of charge ■ one chain of service line for each i consumer.

The Board decided to trade only in the bigger appliances, such as ranges, refrigerators and the like, leaving the rest for electrical firms to deal with. The Board’s policy is to leave house wiring to private electrical contractors. Following a recommendation .of the organising secretary, it was decided when-,the Board is distributing electricity \ throughout the area collecting agents be' appointed at various country townships to suit the convenience of consumers for the payment of their accounts. The Board adopted the principle of rating on the capital Value. It was agreed that the possibility of ever collecting a rate was negligible, but that it was necessary for Power Boards, and indeed all local bodies to strike a rate as security for loans raised. The Boardis ndlicv will be to seek, the assistance of the R-ural• Electrification Council to secure electricity for those settlers whose guarantee would be too high unless such help were forthcoming. ’■