LIGHTING CHARGES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1935, Page 7

LIGHTING CHARGES

ELECTRICITY IN SOUTH TARANAKI. WARRANTED BY SOUND POSITION. It was very gratifying to be able to state that since the board commenced active operations five and a-half years ago it had been able to make reductions in charges to its consumers which had resulted in savings to them of over £9OOO per annum from the use of electricity alone, stated the chairman, Mr. J. B. Murdoch, at last night’s meeting of the South Taranaki Electric Power Board. That figure did not take into account the considerable savings in installation costs brought about by the operation of the group wiring system instituted by the board. Consumers were being supplied with electricity at very low rates —considerably lower than those charged by the majority of country boards. The accounts and balance-sheet for the past financial year had shown such a satisfactory increase in revenue and profit that he considered that a further reduction in some of the charges could be made, continued Mr. Murdoch. Although a general reduction was made on September 1 last the increased business had partially compensated for those concessions. The increase in business was very gratifying, and. he thought that they could confidently look forward to a further increase in connected load during the coming year. The suggestions which he was putting before them would benefit all consumers, as it was proposed to reduce rates for lighting, milking motors and for industrial motors under five horse-power. The proposals had been considered by the executive committee, which recommended their adoption.

PROPOSED NEW RATES. The proposed new gross rates, with existing charges given for comparison, were:— General lighting (domestic or commercial): Proposed, first 100 units for month 6d per unit, for all units used in excess of 100 per month 4Jd; present, all units at 6 Ad. Discount, proposed unit rate would be subject to Ad per unit if account was paid within 14 days. Minimum charges for lighting: Proposed, 2s 6d per month; present, 3s per month. Discount, 5 per cent, if account paid within 14. days. Milking motors: Proposed, all units used per month at 3d per unit; present, 3id. Discount, id per unit if paid within 14 days. No alteration was proposed i# the minimum , charges. Industrial motors under 5 h.p.: Proposed, for the first 400 units per month 3d per unit, for all units used in excess of 400 per month, 2d; present, 3|d and 2d. Discount, id per unit if account was paid within 14 days. No alteration was proposed in the minimum charges.

No alteration was ’ proposed in any other rates in the schedule of charges. It was recommended that the proposed reduced rates should come into operation on May 1 next. The estimated cost to the board of the reductions was £2074 per annum, concluded the chairman. That was the most that could be safely allowed as improvements in the efficiency of electric lamps, and the fact that an improved lamp was on the market, might seriously _ affect the board’s finances, resulting in the lighting revenue dropping by thousands of pounds per annum, which, although a loss to the board, would benefit the consumer. It was the board’s policy to sell z at the lowest rate consistent with safety, and with the use of more electricity there was no reason why the board should not be able to lower further its rates within the next year or so. On the motion of Messrs. J. E. Campbell and E. A. Pacey the chairman’s recommendations were adopted.