CHEAPER ELECTRICITY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 14 June 1934, Page 4

CHEAPER ELECTRICITY.

Kaiapoi Borough Council’s Decision. The Kaiapoi Borough Council, at its meeting on Tuesday last, adopted a report submitted by the electric::] engineer. Tvi r IT. W. Childs, embodying a review of the previous year’s operations, with recommendations for reductions in minima and unit rates for lighting, cooking and power. The revenue for 20-33-34 was £3215, as against the previous year’s revenue of £3212. an appreciated balance of £33, this in spite of reductions of lighting rates during the winter months of the previous year totalling £358. This was brought about by a 7£ per cent increased sale of lighting units over the reductions period and a 20 per cent increased sale of utility units throughout the past year. It was agreed to reduce lighting and utility minima from 5s and l 4s per month to 4s and 3s per month respectively. the cooking minimum from 3s per month to 2s Gd per month (with the unit rate of IJd per unit for the first twenty-four units, all units in excess Id per unit reduced to lid per unit for the cess Id per unit. The power rate of f>s per month per horse-power for motors under 10 li.p. and 2s Gd per month per horse-power for motors over 10 h.p.. with a minimum monthly unit charge of 3d per unit for the first eighty units, 2d per unit for the next 120 units, and all units in excess Id per unit, was considered excessive to the small consumer, and was revised and reduced as follows:—Power rate. 2s 6d per month per horse-power or fraction thereof, unit charges 2d-ld per unit. Twice the connected load is charged at 2d per unit (maximum charge at 2d per unit £2). Example:—A 1 h.p. motor has a minimum of 2s Gd per month. Twice 2s Gd is ss: therefore, after using 5s worth, or thirty units at 2d per unit, all units in excess charged

The borough street lighting charges of £2 10s per annum per 100-watt was reduced l to £2 for the same service.

The sum of £l5O was allocated for renewals from the depreciation fund. Revenue involved by way of charge reductions is £325.