CONCESSIONS TO CONSUMERS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 101, 15 May 1937, Page 3

CONCESSIONS TO CONSUMERS

(From Our Own Correspondent)

Central Power Board Reduces Charges

WAIPUKURAU, This Day. The Central Hawke's Bay Power Board yesterday decided to grant to consumers concessions estimated to cost £1433 A discount of 5 per cent is to be given on all consumers' accounts paid by due date; minlmum charges on houses of more than six rooms in tlie country area Kave been reduced to 15/per quarter; and a reduction has been made in the chargo for business lighting. Tho finance committee made tho following recommendations, which wero adopted after a long discussion in committee: — "(1) That a discount of 5 per cont be given on all consumers' accounts which are paid by due date, with tho exeeption that such discount shall not apply to, the water pumping rates for boroughs, the charge for which is at present very low; such discount, however, with tlie above exeeption, to be given to all bulk supply and contract consumers, including street lights. "The estimated cost for the year for this discount will be £1248 7/-. "(2) That the minimum charges throughout the No. 2 area, on houses coutaining beyond 6 rooms, be reduced to 15/- per quarter. The minimum charges ruling in the board's area will then be: Borough, up to 4: rooms, 7/6 per quarter; No. 2 area consumers' houses up to 4 rooms, 7/6 per quarter; all houses above 4 rooms throughout the area, 15/- per quarter; pumps and businesses to be on the 15/- per quarter basis. "The estimated cost of the reduction is £25. "Total reductions suggested f thorefore are: Discount 5 per cent, £1248 7/-; minimum charge reduction, £20; total, £1273 7/-, " To meet these roductions, it is suggested that the amount required be appropriated from part of last year 's profits. ' ' The Finance Committee also suggested a reduction ln the charge for business lighting. It was decided that the firsi 90 units be charged at 7d and the balance at 6a, the estimated annual cixst oi" tbe reduction "being £160.