REDUCED POWER CHARGES

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1931, Page 12

REDUCED POWER CHARGES

CUT FOR SOUTH TARANAKI SUPPLEMENTARY BULK SUPPLY. CONSUMERS’ SAVING £6OOO A YEAR. Consumers in the South Taranaki Power Board’s area will be saved nearly £6OOO in the next twelve months as a result of reductions decided upon by the board last night. The reduction in tariff is a result of the anticipated supplenmentary supply from the Public Works Department next month. The new charges will come into force on November 1. In recommending that the board adopt the reduced tariff the engineer, Mr. T. R. Overton, stated that as the Public Works Department proposed supplying power to supplement the board’s generating plant some time about the middle of next month, he thought .the board should finally decide upon the charges to be enforced thereafter. Reductions had already been promised. The effect of the proposed schedule had been' carefully investigated from different view points. The total value of reductions to the board’s consumers on the basis of the current year’s estimated connected load was approximately ;E5700 and taking into consideration the position of the board’s income and expenditure account, further reductions would be unwise at present. It would be noted that the schedule eliminated variable charges to the same class of consumer. For instance, lighting had been charged in the past at from 7.2 pence net to 5.5 .pence net per unit, depending upon whether the service was used in a post office, an hotel, or a private dwelling. All consumers would share in the proposed reductions, except those whose consumption at times might not equal the minimum charge permouth. The minimum charges, like the unit charges, had been cut down, but jf any preference was justified in a tariff it was justified in the case of the consumer who used the service as against one who did not use it. The board’s standing charges went on just the same whether the facilities were made use of or not. DETAILS OF TARIFF. ' . The tariff is:— Lighting: (a) General lighting whether for domestic or commercial purposes, Bid per unit (miniumum charge per month 3s); (b) ■ community lighting from half an hour after sunset until 11 p.m., per 100 watts, 4s 6d per month; where charges for lighting are made on a unit basis a discount of id per unit if account is paid in. full within 14 days; flat rate charges and minimum strictly net. Heating and cooking (electric ranges and all domestic appliances capable of being used from heating plugs):—(a) For first 20 units per month, 2d per unit; for all units used in excess of 20 units per month, Ifd per unit (minimum charge per month 2s 6d); for consumers using less than 9 units per month, 4d per unit (no minimum charge); where charges for heating and cooking are made on a unit basis a discount of id per unit if account is paid within 14- days; flat rate charges and minimums strictly net. MILKING CHARGES. Power (other than special contracts) —(a) Milking motors, 3jd per unit (minimum charge per month ss); (b) pumping motors, h.p. motor £3 10s per annum, 1-3 h.p. motor £4, J h.p. motor £4 10s, or at milking motor rates where load is capable of being metered through meter for milking motor; (c) butter and cheese factory motors, 2jd per unit for the first 500 units per month and 2Jd per unit for all units us.ed in excess of 500 units per month (minimum charge per month £1); (d) industrial motors under 5 h.p. 3Jd per unit, 5 h.p. and over 34d per unit, for first 1000 units per month and 2Jd per unit for all units used in excess of 1000 units per month (minimum charges, under 1 h.p./3s, 1 h.p, and over 5s per h.p. or part thereof and maximum minimum charge 10s). Where charges for power are made on a unit basis, a discount of />d per unit will be allowed if account is paid in full within 14 days. Flat rate charges and minimums are strictly net. Water heating:—(a) Where an electric range or milking motor is also installed and connected, a, charge of 15s per 100 watts per annum, subject to control by a change-over switch or a time switch for a period of 4 hours per day; (b) where no electric range or milking motor is installed a charge of 20s per 100 watts per annum subject to control by a change-over switch or a time switch for a period of 4 hours per day; (c) where a range or milking motor, is disconnected for any reason the charge for the water heater for the period of disconnection will be as per tariff (b). Refrigerators, fans, vacuum cleaners, battery charging, irons, etc., where used for domestic purposes will be charged for at heating and cooking rates and where used for business purposes at rates for industrial motors. Beach cottages not permanently occupied will be charged at ordinary lighting and heating rates, with, a minimum charge per annum of £1 10s.

■ PERSONAL. Mr. C. Sattler, Hawera, lias returned home after a business visit to the Waikato. Mr. J. M. Moloney, postman, Hawera, has received notice or his transfer to Hamilton and will leave to-day. His place will be taken by Mr. Hodren, of Hamilton and formerly of the Hawera post office staff. Farewell to Mr. G. Duncan, who, after seven or eight years as an under writ* era’ representative on the Hawera Fire Board is retiring at the end of the month, was said by hie colleagues on the board yesterday. Appreciation of liis services was expressed by the chairman, Mr. L. A. Bone ■ . ;