ELECTRIC METERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 58, 5 February 1927, Page 6

ELECTRIC METERS

DIFFICULTIES IN READING. SEEKING A CHEAP SYSTEM. “A matter that has been engaging the attention of power boards throughout tho Dominion for somo time past is tho present systems of meter reading and billings,” stated Mr C. Campbell, of Invercargill, in addressing yesterday’s sitting of the conference of secretaries and executive officers of power boards. “As far as Southland is concerned, these systems, although formulated after a close study of the reports of the methods adopted by somo of the largest American supply authorities are too complicated and costly. “Two important matters of interest to every power board in New Zealand are at present under consideration by the Power Boards’ Association. One is the simplification of electricity rates and metering, tho other is the simplification of meter reading and billing. There is no doubt that these matters are of great importanco to Southland (probably more to us tlim to any other board) on account of cur widespread territory and other heal conditions. Six meter reading dist’icts havo been created, with a meter man for each district. Five of the men arcprovided with motor lar conveysnces and the sixth with a motor cycle and side chassis. Tho meter men are equipped with meter books in which are meter cards for each individual consumer in the respective areas. These meter cards, which are arranged in order of route, are a complete record of the readings of each consumer’s meter or meters, commencing as from tho date of connection. The meter man is required to enter on the meter card, tho reading of the meter, tho date of reading, initials, and upon completion of tho reading of each book of approximately 100 cards to forward samo to tire office. The estimated cost of me.tcr reading in Southland for the year ending on March 31 next is made up as follows: Salary £1500; transport £1200; travelling expenses £150; commissions £290. One of tho most important duties of the meter men is to interview consumers who havo complaints. It is the duty of every meter man to investigate cacli complaint thoroughly, and to fix the matter or follow' it up until it has been attended to, with the idea that any trouble that may exist should be corrected as soon as possible. In many cases the meter man is the only representative of the board with whom the consumer comes into contact after the original installation is made; therefore he lias to be an efficient and competent man. “Alternative methods of meter reading which have been considered: (1) Beading by local agent: Subdivide the district into small areas and appoint local agents to read tho meters under contract at per meter or per consumer; the readings to he occassionally checked by an officer of tho board. (This might not prove to be any more economical than our present system). (2) Reading by the consumer himself, and educate the consumer to read his owm meters and to furnish tile reading on cards provided by the board, such cards to ho returnable under a penalty for delay. Readings to be occasionally checked by an officer of the board.’ (Our present system of, metering is too complicated to lead us to expect this would be a success). (3) Reading by. faults man: Give the faults man specific areas to read at given periods. (We tried this, but were not satisfied with the results).

“Tho proposal: (1) Each consumer will ho required to pay a minimum charge per year in monthly instalments stepped in accordance with the size of the installation and the period of the year. (2) At the beginning of tire financial year each consumer will receive per registered post a booklet containing his twelve monthly hills for his instalments. The booklet will contain discounfr coupons, tho effect of which will he as follows: (a) If the whole 12 coupons are paid on or before April 30, 6 per cent, discount will be allowed; (2) If the first six are paid on or before April 30, 5 per cent, discount will bo allowed. Note: The last day for payment of each coupon without penalty will be tire last day of the month. The usual 10 per cent, penalty will be charged after that. (3) The electricity consumed will bo measured by meter but the consumer will not be called upon to pay an electricity bill until tho value of the electricity consumed is in excess of his ‘yearly minimum.’ Note: (1) Consumers using less than the guarantee need not got an electricity bill at all. It will he readily seen that this system, if it is feasible, avoids the necessity for the regular two monthly reading of meters; that at the most two meter men with the assistance of tho faults men can handle the new system of occasional reading; that 'this will mean a minimum saving of £IOOO per annum to the board in wages alone. “Tho only important disadvantage of tho system as I see it is that it will lead tho consumer to complain that he is not receiving regular figures of his meter readings, but the consumer can’t have all this information without cost to tiro board and inoidentally to himself. He will, therefore, surely see the necessity for co-operating with the board in any proposal to cut down running costs.” Various speakers detailed the systems employed by them in reading meters and forwarding accounts, the difficulties faced by , the Southland Board, by reason of so far flung territory, being duly appreciated by the speakers, the majority of whom stated that the conditions were, to a large degree, unknown to them. In thanking the members for their suggestions, Mr Campbell stated that it was after all a caso of each board working out its own destiny, and he would bo pleased to record the outcome of his experiments at a future date.