POWER CHARGES.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18925, 20 April 1933, Page 10

POWER CHARGES.

THAMES VALLEY RATES. REDUCTIONS ADVOCATED. BOARD CONSIDERS POSITION. The charges to be made for the variqus services during the coming year were discussed at a meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board yesterday, and several reductions were advocated. No decisions were made, but the finance committee will deal wi.th the question at an early date, and the board will consider the committee’s recommendations when It meets next month. Referring to the rates for milking motors, Mr J. Pohlen said that a bone of contention was unit charge per horse power as applied to farmers with small motors and small sheds. It was considered that these men should receive some concession.

Support for Mr Pohlen’s views was expressed by Mr H. M. Corbett, who moved as a recommendation to the finance committee that the charge of 5d per unit for the first forty units per horse power should be reduced to 4d. A case was instanced where a farmer with eighteen cows, and using a two horse-power motor, was paying more per cow than a neighbour with thirty-two cows and a one horsepower motor. Efficiency of Motors. The chief engineer, Mr A. G. McLeod, said that figures proved that a two horse-power 'motor was cheaper to run than a one horse-power motor, althugh a one and a half horse-power motor might be still cheaper. However, most of the plants would run •more efficiently with a two horsepower motor. Mr E. L. Walton expressed the view that the Board should have details of the effects of the various charges before making any decisions. It was impossible to fully understand the position without first having a report for consideration. Mr R. Sprague, the manager-secre-tary, said that under tiic present conditions tiie Board would probably show a small profit, which he estimated at about £3OOO, next year. However, if reductions wero made the position would be affected. The Board had to consider what action they were to take. Other members stated that while they wanted reductions, the finances of the Board must be considered before anything was done. The board would have to sec whether it could reduce the charges or not, and no decision could be made until a report was before the members. Mr Corbett’s recommendation was approved. Industrial Supply Rates. The question of charges for industrial motors was commented upon by Mr F. E. Flatt, who said that there were many consumers who were not using the minimum, and ns those people were feeling the pinch just as much as oilier sections he thought

that they should be given a measure of relief. He suggested a reduction on the first hundred units.

Speaking in support of Mr Flatt, Mr J. M. Allen said that some of the consumers In the Morrlnsvtlle borough were paying high rates, ranging up to 7s 6d a unit. While they were not complaining these consumers had commented on their oharges, and he would like to see a straight out reduction on a percentage basis. Discussing the charges for churohes, schools, halls, and similar institutions, Mr Sprague suggested that there should be a reading once every six months, with a minimum charge of 10s for the six months. ' The present rate was 2s 6d for every six weeks. Mr Flatt advocated a review of the charges for street lighting, and recommended to the finance committee that a reduction of ten per cent should be given. All the matters were referred to the finance committee for consideration.