AUCKLAND POWER BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18567, 27 November 1923, Page 9

AUCKLAND POWER BOARD.

NEW SCALE OF CHARGES.

RETICULATION POLICY.

The Auckland Electric Power Board met yesterday, the chairman, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, presiding. There were also present:—Messrs. M. J. Bennett, S. I. Crookes, J. Dempsey, J. Rowe, L. Joll, H. T. Goldie R. G. Clarke, T. Bloodworth, E. H. Potter, and S. J. Harbutt. The new schedule of charges for current submitted to the board on October 29. by the engineer and manager. Mr. A. Wyllie, was adopted, the scale to apply to the whole area on the city 6ide of, and including Penrose. The report stated that there was no real change in the rates save in the charge for domestic supply. When the whole supply was taken through a single meter, the domestic rate would be 3d per unit during the quarters ending December and March, and 5d per unit during the June and September quarters. The consumer would be charged for energy consumed as registered by meter, with a minimum of 10s per quarter, ineluding meter rent. A discount of 5 per cent, would be allowed for payment within 14 days. The Works Committee's recommendation that the board adhere to its policy in reticulation, as laid down in May, 1922 and that the work be expedited as much as possible, was adopted. It was notified that two extra gangs for reticulation work were being organised. Reporting on, tho explosion that occurred at the corner of Victoria and Kitchener Streets last Tuesday evening, Mr. Wyllie said it was due to a fault occurring in the box. The heat gasified the insulating compound and caused the explosion. The box was cut out. but the fault had burnt back to an old piece of cable, which was overlooked in disconnecting. This fused again on Thursday, and was then cut out.' The connection of 89 services during the week ended November 5 was notified by Mr. Wyllie in his report on mains extension. Various services had been restrained to clear fire-alarm and telephone wires. After the meeting members of the board inspected the new stores building, main power station, sub-stations, and various portions of the board's area.