THE COST OF POWER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2563, 5 April 1923, Page 4

THE COST OF POWER.

HOROWHENUA SCHEDULE OF CHARGES. THE ENGINEER’S RECOMMENDATIONS. At a .meeting' of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board recently, the Engineer, Mi* T. R. Overton, put before the member’s the schedule of charges he recommended the Board should adopt. The schedule was as follows: — Lighting.— r ßd per unit. Minimum charge 5/- per month. General Power (other than milking machines). —4d per unit for the first 80 units per- horse-power of connected load, per month, and 2d per unit for all, units used in excess of this amount. Minimum charge 5/- per horse-power per month up to and including 5 horse-power, and 2/6 per horse-power per month for all over that amount. Cooking and Heating.—lid per unit. Minimum charge £1 per month. Water-heating Service. —£9 per kilowatt year on a change-over switch in conjunction with cooking or power installation; otherwise £l2 per kilowatt year. Milking Motor Power. —£6 per horse power year or connected motor load chargeable during eight consecutive milking months, plus 2id per unit.

Elaxmill Rate. —lid per unit between the hours of 3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., and again bet ween 4.30 a.m. and 8 a.m.; at- all oilier hours Id per unit. Minimum account £3O per quarter on low-rate meter. Meter Rent. —Rent shall be paid for one meter on each service at the rate of 10/- per annum. Payment.—All of the above charges will be increased 10 per cent, if not paid within 14 days after the day fixed for payment. Special Rates. —Special rate contracts may be made where a consumer inquires 20 horse power or more, or where clause 7, of regulations under section 2 of the Public Works Amendment Act, 1911, shall be applicable. The schedule was adopted, and the Engineer was authorised to give any further information to the Press in elaboration of the scale. In conversation with a Chronicle representative, Mr Overton stated these charges would be found to be as favourable as it would be possible to make them. With ordinary care, the average six-room-ed house would get its lighting and power for ironing at a cost of from £4 to £5 per year. A very advantageous rate was quoted for cooking and' for a water-heating service. This would provide water heated to scalding point for every purpose needed in the home. The other point about the schedule was the charge for milking motors. Actual cases from the Waikato gave the running cost per day as follows :

Of course, said Mr Overton, a great deal depends upon the length of time taken in milking and the efficiency of the machines, as well as the carefulness of the operator. Coming to the cost of installation, this was considerably lower than it was some time ago. The Power Board took its service line in to each consumer for a distance of a chain. Private houses could be fitted at a cost of 35/- per point, with £2 for a heating point. Thus four lights and an ironing point would cost £9; six lights and ironing point £l2 10/-. The equipment of a farm with light and power would cost between £4O and £SO, according to requirements. Thus four lights in the house, one in the milking shed, one heating point, and a 2 li.p. motor complete with belts, shafting and gear could be put in for £42. A onehorse power motor would cost £5 less. Eight lights instead of five, with the rest of the installation as above would run into £SO. Mr Overton said these figures were based on actual experience in the Waikato, and would be fourfd to represent the liability incurred in respect of the installation and use of electric power and lighting.

Days in Cost. Cows. Milk, per day. 100 .... 300 2/0 i 88 . . . . 267 1/9 80 .... 290 1/7 65 250 1/6 40 .... 240 1/3