THE PRICE OF GAS

Southland Times, Issue 17599, 11 March 1914, Page 7

THE PRICE OF GAS

i:i-TKCTS OF RBCKXT STKIKK. I’A.StfKU OX TO I'OXSI’MIiK. Tin' Auckland Gas Company has decided to increase its revenue by imposing an extra charge upon consumers forthwith to meet the increased cost ot product ion. The charge will not take the form of an increase in the price of gas. hut will he in the nature of meter rent. I'lme.iiin rs as they receive their current month's accounts will find attached a small printed notice, which reads as follows—"In consequence of the steady rise in all the crisis of manufacture accentuated at the present moment hy the effects of tiie iate strike*, the Gas t'ompany find it necessary to somewhat increase its revenue. The directors are very averse to increasing the price of gas, unless absolutely neco-s----sary. and have deeided instead to make a small charge for meter rent, that method appearing to he fairest to consumers generally. in your account therefore there will in future appear a small charge for that service." (>n inquiry loving made it was ascertained that tlie new charge -will, so far as seventy-five tier cent, of the consumers are concerned, not amount to more than sixpence per month. In the case of the remaining twenty-five per cent, using bigger meters, the charge will be somewhat greater. In most countries it is stated to he a very* general custom to impose a meter rent, and the Klectric I H’partmenl always makes this charge. In regard to this matter it is interests ing to recall a statement made by the chairman of the company, Mr J. if. I’pton, at the annual meeting held last mouth. Referring to the recent strike, the chairman said —"It has been a serious matttr for us, and has made a perceptible difference to our surplus, and will have a similar effect next year, the loss up to Dedtntber Gist only being included iu the' present accounts. The further loss will be considerable, but is not as yet ascertained." Referring more particularly to the price of gas on that occasion, the chairman said—“ The policy of the company has been to lower the price of gas. Wc have got it down to a very low level. We have before us a great deal of development to do. This town lias grown to an extraordinary degree. It may lie we have gone down a little 100 far. and it is just possible wc may have to raise the price. Rut wc have a' reserve of one hundred thousand pounds and a balance to profit and loss of twenty thousand pounds. Nothing is so certain in New Zealand as the dividend of the Auckland Gas Company." Although, as stated, the new charge will, in the case of seventy-live per cent, of the consumers, only amount to an extra six shillings per year, tt will, in J

the aggregate amount to something considerable, for there are twenty-six thousand consumers on the company’s hooks.