POWER CHARGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 12

POWER CHARGES

ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS BEFORE WAITEMATA BOARD A lengthy report was submitted to the Waitemata Power Board to-day on a proposal to readjust charges for * The engineer, Mr. F. J. H. Wilson, pointed out that it was necessary to differentiate between those types ot load- which could be fostered with mutual advantage, and those which increased proportionately the board s expenditure on power, or required special capital outlay. He recommended an alternative rate for domestic supply, in alteration to the method of assessing the minimum charge for industrial motors, and an alteration of the unit rate for milking-machine motors. Continuing, the engineer stated that the different classes of load varied widely, but the method of charging should encourage continual growth of consumption, and the development of the “off-peak” load. The tariff must meet competition. DOMESTIC CONSUMERS The greatest opportunity for developing consumption was among domestic consumers, especially for cooking. In other countries the fixed charge, plus a low rate a unit, was - becoming increasingly popular. He recommended a fixed charge of £8 per annum (payable monthly), plus Id a unit, less 12£ per cent, for payment within 14 days. This is an alternative to the present charge, and is specially directed to consumers of over 700 units. Records showed that in Takapuna, Henderson and Helensville 10 per cent, of the consumers used electric stoves, while in Devonport, where rates had been unfavourable, there were only one per cent. He considered that the other charges for water heating, street lighting and industrial purposes were reasonable, except for the minimum charge on industrial motors. He suggested that a minimum charge for industrial motors be fixed at 5s a horse-power of connected load a month. With regard to the rate for milking motors, he suggested a fixed service charge of £ 6 16s yearly a horse-power, less per cent., plus a unit charge of 24d a unit, less 12£ per cent. (Proceeding.)