CHEAPER GAS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19338, 31 May 1937, Page 13

CHEAPER GAS

NEW TARIFF REDUCTION UNIQUE IN INDUSTRY At a time when practically all commodities arc rising in cost to the consuming public and people have become resigned tn what is apparently the inevitable, the Gisborne Gas Company's recently-announced new general' tariff showing considerable reductions 'o ntany consumers, conies as a welcome surprise.

The general manager, Mr. F. Kennedy, explaining to a Herald representative the new general tariff, said that it was unique in New Zealand, for, despite heavy increased costs iii labour, coal, freights, callage and all materials, the company was faithfully continuing its policy of reducing the price of gas, thereby enabling the individual members of the community to uso more gas and utilise the gas service to the maximum advantage.

"The present decrease in (he price of gas is Ivy far the costliest tariff reduction undertaken by the tins Company since its inception 54 years ago," lie said. "When it is realised that this reduction occurs at a time when even the largest gas undertaking in the Dominion has increased its price of gas, it is obvious that this reduction of the company shows absolute confidence in the future increased sale of gas. All Domestic Consumers Covered "The new general tariff applies lo all domestic consumers and the rate is such that the cheap gas service offers large savings over many other fuels. The tariff is 7s lid per 1000 cubic feet for the first 3000 cubic feet or 'MI per 100 cubic' feet; 5s per 1000 cubic feet for all consumption over 3000 cubic feet or i>d per 100 cubic. feet. A constant of 3s is charged on all month!}' accounts where gas consumption is between 100 cubic feel and 2000 cubic feet. This means that there is an extensive decrease in the price of gas up lo 2000 cubic, feet, followed by a large decrease at 2100 cubic feet and another even larger decrease on consumption in excess of 3000 cubic feet, when the ~>s rate obtains.

"Pro-payment meter consumers do not pay a minimum monthly charge; this means that if Is worth of gas is bough! in a month, that is till the payment, to be made. Therefore, those very small consumers at present on ordinary meters may change to prepayment meters if they wish. Prepayment consumers may change to ordinary meters by obtaining the sanction of "either the general manager or the secretary. ; Those pro-payment consumers using 2100 cubic, feet and more per month will obtain gas at the general tariff rate, the adjustment being made each month by means of a cash discount. There is no 3s constant on pre-payment meters. " 'Cheap gas' is now on top in Gisborne and the (las Company urges the public in its own interests to inquire about the latest cooking, water heating, space heating and laundry equipment.''