PAYMENT FOR POWER.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17712, 16 May 1929, Page 9

PAYMENT FOR POWER.

(To (he Editor.) Sir, —While users of electric power arc asking to have charges for current reduced (as benzine is cheaper to use in the milking sheds than electricity), the Thames Valley Electric Power Bqard are faced with a defied, of £GOOO, which they propose to liquidate by installing some 7000 meters, which will no doubt involve an outlay of. some £20,000, besides extra overhead expenses, reading meters, extra clerks, etc. The facls of the case are, however, overlooked as the board is paying for current, it does not get. The Government charges for current arc based on the peak bad each three months, viz.—April, May, June; July, August, September. As practically no power is used in th° milking sheds during June, the pay-1 ment is on April's peak. The same applies to the latter period, as September is practically the milking season lush, and the three months charged at that rate. The reason for high changes and deficient income can easily be accounted for by paying for more current than is actually supplied. The Government should be content to receive payment for power consumed to be based on the monthly peak load, i This, I think, would put the deficit on the other side of the ledger and avoid a costly experiment at the cxpcnce of llie consumers.—t am, etc., CONSUMER.