Electricity Charges in Feilding

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 194, 17 August 1943, Page 4

Electricity Charges in Feilding

PROTEST TO PRICE TRIBUNAL Proposed changes in the supply of electricity to leildiug consumers as well as alterations in the charges were mentioned by Mr. P. G. Guy, f eilding'a rcpresentati' e on the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board, at last evening's meeting of.the Feilding Chamber of Commerce. The Board, he said, had decided to approach the Price Triounal to fix prices on the basis of a protit of £19,00U which the board made last year. Of that profit the board had decided to place £BOOO to reserve and was holding the remaining £II,OOO to play with. He had raised objection to this and had contended that Feilding consumers should obtain some benefit from this profit by reduced charges. The board still stood to make a like profit this year notwithstanding a reduced consumption of power. For the three months ended July 31, the board’s purchase of power from the Public Works Department amounted to £129 less than for the same period last year while sales over the same three months were up by £373 compared with the same period last year. This amounted to a benefit oi £BOO to the board but nothing was done to make any rebate to consumers. He had had many protests over the hot water service and tho board’s proposals would not benefit Feilding consumers. Mr. Guy tvent on to state that he had forwarded the following letter to tho Price Tribunal:—

“Dear Sir, —As Feilding’s representative on the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board I would draw vour attention to certain facts and conditions in this area that should be taken into consideration when making any changes in the supply of electricity and the charges for same.

“As you know, tho city of Palmers |(on .North purchases its supply from the (board in bulk, retailing it in turn to the city consumers, while in the remainder of the area (in which Feilding is the only borough) the consumers are supplied direct by the board. Owing to this arrangement the .prices to tho board’s consumers (excluding Palmers ton North) are comparatively high—unjustifiably so in view of the fact that last year the board made a profit of £19,000, none of which has so far been returned to the consumers by way of reduced charges, and on present indica tions it looks as if this year’s opera lions will show an increase even on this* tigure. The figures for tho three months ending July 31, and which were presented at the August meeting of the board, shows that while purchases of power from the Public Works Depart ment showed a decrease of £429 as com pared with the same period last year, sales showed an increase of £373, which means a further £9OO to the board’s advantage.

“As explained by the board’s engineer, the hot-water supply far household use in this area has, for some years, been functioning only about 21 hours daily, being cut off during the peak load per medium of a pilot wire. If then the metering of water heaters, or control by a thermostat is imposed on us in addition to the pilot wire, it would mean that a double restriction is placed on our hot water services. “If, on the other hand, the suggestion of tho board’s engineer is adopted it will possibly help to improve the financial position of the boards as the pilot wire will be operated as now, but to a greater extent during the peak load; but tho small financial advantage

to the consumer does not offer much compensation for the added inconvenience. Indeed, while tho total cost to the consumer would show a slight reduction because of the reduced hours of service, the price per unit would be increased from .3G6d to .375 d. “This is the position as it applies to heaters installed exclusively for household use, and includes of courso, practically the whole of Feilding borough. The farmiug community is in a better position as the hot water supply for farms is worked with a switch which only cuts off the hot water when pow’er is being used for milking motors and separators. Figures show that the amount used for the latter purpose is very small, and during the winter months, practically nil. This means that the heaters aro on almost continually in winter. If, therefore, the proposal of the board’s engineer is adopted, will the farmers who have no pilot wire bo affected by it, or will this measure be confined to purely domestic users as at present? Yours faithfully, P. G. GUY.” The chamber agreed to support Mr. Guy’s letter by forwarding a protest to the Price Tribunal.