THE COST OF POWER.

Shannon News, 27 March 1923, Page 3

THE COST OF POWER.

HOROWHENUA SCHEDULE OF

CHARGES.

THE ENGINEER'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

At last meeting of t,he Horowhenua Electric Power Board, the Engineer, Mr T. R. Overton, put before the members the schedule of charges he zecommended the Board should adopt. Mr A. A. Brown suggested going into committee to consider them. Mr D. W. Matheson said he failed to see why the Board should go into committee. This was information that the public were, waiting for. The chairuan said the Board could discuss the schedule in committee and then make public the details. /

Mr Matheson said the public would not hear the discussion, nor .would they hear the Engineer's explanation. There was all the more reason -for taking, the matter in open board since, the charges to flaxmills had been openly discussed. The schedule seemed to him to be a very reasonable one.

The chairman said his own opinion was tha"t they should go into committee, but he was quite willing to take the opinion of the Board. A motion to go into committee was carried. . * ,

The'schedule war, as toilows: Lighting.—Bd per unit. Minimum chargfc 5/ per month.

General Power (other than milking machines).—4d per unit for the first, 80 units per horse-power or 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 lhat amount

Cooking and Heating.—lJd per unit. Minimum charge £1 per month. Water-heating Service—£9 per, kilnwatt year on a. change-over switch in conjunction with cooking or power installation; otherwise £.12 per kilowatt year.

Milking Motor Power.—£6 per horse-power year or connected motor load rhvgeable during eight consecutive .ixing months, plus per unit.

Flaxmill Mate.—lid per unit between the hours of 3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., and again between. 4.30 a.m. and 8 a.m.; at all other 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 it)/ per annum.

Payment.—All of •;:•. >-ove charges will be increased JO ; -t- cent if not paid within 14 days alter the day fixed for payment. Special Rates.—Special rate contracts may be made where a consumer requires 20 horse-power or more, or where clause'7 of regulations tinder suction 2of the Public Works Amendment Act, 1911, sbftll be applicable.

In conversation with a Chronicle n epresentative, 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-roomed house would ;..et 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 fr.,m the Waikato gave ; he running Cc ' per day as follows:--

Of course, said Mr Overton, ,a great deal depended upon the length of time taken in milking, a.nd the efficiency of the machines, as well as the carefulness of the operator. Coining tu 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 tor 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 £0; 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 2h.p. motor complete with belts, shafting and gear coud be put in for £42. A. one horse-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 Waiknto, and would be found jo represent the liability incurred in re- , spect of the installation and us..: of j electric power and lighting, them.

Days in Cost Cows. .milk. per day 100 ' 300 2/0&ss 267 J/9 80 290 1/7 65 250 1/6 40 .... 240 1/3