ELECTRIC POWER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 528, 11 May 1933, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER

'PRICE PER UNIT ■ CENTRAL BOARD REDUCES ITS SCALE OF CHARGES DISCUSSION AT MEETING Hamilton, Wednesday. Following a recommendation from •its finance committee, the Central Electric Power Board to-day decided to further reduce charges as fol'lows: — Minimum charges for lighting and f heating from 3s 9 d each per month to 2s 6d each per month, combined minimum 5s per month to be unal- ' tered. This will make a reduction of approximately £175. Meter rents at present 5d per month each, excepting those used for. power and for electric ranges, noW abolished. Reduction approximately £1520. (Under the above reductions the minimum charge for lighting will be 2s 6d per month, instead of 3s 9d minimum plus 5d meter rent). Power-milking machine units (including separators and pumping at ( shed) 3d per unit, now reduced to 2^d per unit. Reduction approxiImately £2702. Power units (other than the above) at present charged at 3d to .be charged 2id. Reduction approximately £240. The charges above stated are sub- . ject to 5 per cent discount if paid within 14 days. i Interest on consumers installation (accouirts to be reduced from 7 per cent. with 1 per cent. rebate, to 6 per cent. with 1 per cent. rebate. Reduction approximately £90. Street lighting. — Huntly Borough Council street lights to be included in reduged charges fixed for street lighting recently, subject to certain restrictions under agreement. Reduction approximately £13. The above reductions amount to £4740. It was explained that in addition to numerous reductions made preiviously, those made during the last Jifive years computed on the amount • of saving to the consumers connected [ at the time of each reduction, j amounted to £11,340. | In recommending that the cost of ! -electricity for milking be reduced, •the committee stressed the fact that, with the introduction of more modern •machinery in milking sheds, it was v possible to bring about a substantial saving in units, but that in the meantime the farmers were not in the position to afford the cost. What the farmer needed was as /much immediate assistance as pos- ■ jsible, and the reduction was thus reJ commended. It was, however, pointed | out that it might become necessary, I later on, to institute a minimum { charge in the milking shed, or some (other charge to make up a deficiency in revenue caused by the combination of reduced number of units required, and lower unit charge. Further Reductions Urged' j Mr. J. J. Ryburn moved that the j' report be adopted. Mr. W. Lee- Martin considered that ' although considerable reductions ! have been made the charge in con--nection with the milking machine } units should be further reduced. Mr. J' Martin quoted figures from the j Christchurch City Council showing I that the reduction in charges resultj ed in an enormous increase in con- [ sumption. He though the board should reduce the milking machine unit from 3d to 2d instead of 2|d. Mr. Martin said that about £13,000 stood in the reserve aceount and he thought that £2500 should be taken from the reserve account to allow for the further reduction of |d per unit. Mr. Peacocke said he was in symI pathy with Mr. Martin's suggestions, ' but thought the board should wait until they saw how the present reductions affected the revenue. Several members agreed with Mr. 'Peacocke, and it was decided to • agree to' the committee's proposals | and to consider the reduction of the | further id at a later date, when the | position of the revenue would be bet- { ter known. j The committee's suggestion regardI ing further reductions in wages, i^effecting a saving of £245, was also carried, Mr. W. Lee Martin dissenting.