THE CHARGES FOR POWER.

Shannon News, 22 October 1926, Page 4

THE CHARGES FOR POWER.

DAIRY FACTORY RATES. NO REDUCTION AT PRESENT. Five months ago a deputation from all the dairy companies operating in | the Horowhenua Power Board’s disI trict, Availed upon the Board in conncc- | tion with the ruling poAver rates. A committee Avas then set up to enquire . into the possibilities of making a rej ductioii, and the report of this com- | mittee A\as presented at the October ) meeting of the Board, this Aveek, as {follows: “The Committee remind the ) members of the Board that the deputation Avhieh Avaited oil the Board in May last, asked amongst other things for monthly readings for factories during the winter-half of the year, instead of Quarterly readings. In accordance with this idea and for the purpose of getting reliable information on the matter, the Committee hoav report that monthly readings have been made at all factories on the M.D.I. rate for the past six months' —April to September inclusive. The result has shown that, as compared Avith the quarterly accounts noAv in force, the lyonthly accounts foi; the whole period of six months would have only meant a difference of £56 3s 5d in favour of the factories apportioned as folloAvs: Toko-' maru, £7 17s 7d; Shannon, £l9 13s 3d; Levin £6 6s lOd; Kuku £9 7s; Manakau. £3 13s 2d; Otaki, £5 15s sd, and Te Horo, £3 13s 2d. In vierv of the small amount involved the Committee thought, that a change from the usual quarterly readings Avas hardly Avorth while. lu reference to the main question of reduction in the present charge of £5 10s per kiloAvatt. per annum, or alternatively a reduction'in the unit rate of Id, the Committee very carefully considered the question and endeavoured to look at it from all standpoints. It Avas found that, there were many difficulties and problems involved in making a reduction fair to all parties., Eventually it was , decided to recommend J to the Board that for the present financial year no reduction be made in the | factory rates, but that the matter be again considered at the end of the year, Avith a vieAV of making next year such a concession in dairy factory rates, as the Board may be able to grant. In explanation of the report the chairman (Mr Gr. A. Monk) said that the committee had gone carefully into it and found the question bristled with j difficulties. It was found that in order j to get anywhere near an equitable arI rangoment, the Board Avould almost have to have a separate rate for each factory. It had beejn decided to‘hold over the matter until the close of the present season, a 3 that would be the best {hing to do, and the only recommendation that could be made at the present time. Maybe they Avould bo able to offer a Avorth-Avhile reduction at the end of the financial year. In regard to the quarterly reading, it vas found that the amount that would be involved, and the gain ito the factories, really did nob compensate the Board for , the loss sustained. At the time these iccommendations AA r ere made it wa-„ not known just how the-'half-yearly figures Would come out, but it would be worth-while to go on until the end of the fin an ia' year, and thus suit all parties. Mr T. G. Vincent seconded the motion to adopt the. committee’s report, slating he f-«lly agreed v ith it The motion Avas carried. LARGE LIGHTING CONSUMERS. CONCESSION FOR MORE THAN 150 UNITS. I The Finance Committee reported having gone into the question of lighting rates, which should be fixed for large consumers, and in particular the Otaki Sanatorium, and the Do Luxe Theatre, Levin, from Avhom applications had been received, and Avhieh' applications had been referred by the Board to the Committee for consideration. The Committee discussed the applications at considerable length and although convinced that the time is inopportune for any great changes, make the folloAving recommendation to the Board: “That as from the Ist October, the lighting rate for large consumers be for the first 150 units per month, 8d per unit nett; for all units in excess of 150 units per month, 6d per unit nett.’’

The chairman, in moving the adoption, said a consumer avlio used over 150 units a month Avas a considerable consumer, but one thing in his favour was that he did not come in ojn the maximum demand. The proposed rate, gave consideration to the big users and Avould

swfallowed up in carrying on the work of healing. When an animal is put a ‘ brave face on the situation. He roundly cursed the Berlin detectives and proclaimed his innocence. but tho position in the end was too much for him. Ho broke down and confessed that he Avas the murderer, and that he killed Helling because he needed money.

To this he added the amazirig remark that ho had neA’er seen Dr. Haas in his life, and that he accused Haas because he thought that by accusing a Jew he would give the case a political colour, and so introduce racial prejudice into it.

Thus he hoped to escape lightly, as being merely the person who disposed of the body. In these circumstances it is probable that Dr. Haas will soon bo released, though the investigating judge refuses to budge from his position. In an interview he declared that he still regarded Haas as guilty; and refused the advocate of Haas a permit for access to important documents.

not affect the revenue very much. It might seem peculiar on his part advocating this concession after supporting the committee's report in regard to dairy factories, but the difference was that the latter was on the maximum load. If the dairy companies could do their work at night, the Power Board could give them a rate that would surprise them, but of course they had, to work in the day. In some districts there were much more drastic reductions for big lighting consumers than those proposed and the committee felt that they would have to go much further than this at a later stage. They*would like to give reductions that would enable business‘people to participate. In answer to Mr Kilsby, the chairman said all picture theatres and others using over 150 units per month would get the concession. Mr Kilsby considered the first thing they should do was to reduce the meter rent. The Chairman: We can’t do that at present. We are keeping it steadily in view. (Laughter). Mr Vincent felt that the lowering of the rate would be an inducement to people to use more light. The motion was seconded by Mr Matheson and carried. CHARGE FOR SERVICE. TO CURB TRIVIAL CALLS. The, Finance Committee further reported: f *'Tlie rates which should be charged to consumers, for work done by the Board’s officials, was also considered. Information was obtained from various Boards, as to the usual practice, obtaining in other districts. It was seen that generally for small services,' a charge was made for the time taken to do' the repairs, plus cost of any material used. The Committee recommend: “.That those consumers who call in the Board’s officials for attention to .small repairs, renewing fuses, etc., be charged 2/6 per hour for work done, plus the cost of material used, the minimum charge to be 2 / (i per visit. ’ ’ The chairman said the Board must ask consumers to assist as much as possible by not calling the Board’s officers cut unless necessary. They wanted a satisfied body of consumers, but the Board’s officers were not there to go out and do small repairs. That was the work of the electrical firms operating in the Board’s district. That was alright in the towns, but it was different in the country to get men. They could not charge a mileage rate. Mr Matheson said that if they had a mileage rate a job close at hand would cost 5/- and several miles away it would be 25/-. The chairman said the idea was to have as much as possible done in the men’s ordinary round. The Engineer said after the staff were called out for trivial matters that could easily wait. If there was milking machine trouble they went at once. They endeavoured to instruct the consumer to ascertain whether the fault was with the Board’s line or their own fuses. |

Mr Gunning: The object of the charge is to discourage trivial calls.

The Engineer: It will prevent a good many of them. The recommendation was adopted.