Reduced Rates for Electric Power

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 232, 20 December 1927, Page 13

Reduced Rates for Electric Power

MONTHLY ACCOUNTS AUCKLAND BOARD ADOPTS NEW SCHEME T'VRASTIC reform ir the Auckland Power Board’s charges and methods of reduction were decided on at the board’s meeting yesterday. The chairman, Mr. W. J. Moldsworth, in moving the adoption of the new scheme, expressed the opinion that It would be a welcome change from iht present complicated rates, which, he said, has become known as the “mix-'em-up-and-be-damned” principle. The new scheme provides for monthly accounts payable at the door, dispensing with the 10 per cent, extra charge in outer areas except on the Clevedon extension. The reductions come into force from January 1, and will apply to accounts rendered in March next. The chairman said that he had gone closely into the new rates, with the general manager, Mr. R. H. Bartley-. The charges would consolidate and simplify the present complicated rates, which the board’s own staff sometimes had difficulty in calculating. BETTER CUSTOMERS ALSO

It had. he said, the additional advantage that when water power was plentiful In the future the rates could lie reduced on a percentage basis. It would be very advantageous both to the board and to the consumers, who would get both lighting arid waterheating accounts on the one bill, and would be allowed a discount of b per cent. for payment within a fortnight. The board would forego £13,000 under the new charges, but would get it back by a "service” charge of sixpence a meter a month. The suggestions were perfectly sound, said Mr. E. H. Pottei-, seconding the adoption of tho rates. The simplification of monthly accounts appealed to him, but he was averse to the "service” charge. The board notified that the new charges will come into operation in the New Year. The most important alterations are: FOR LIGHTING A flat rate of fivepence a unit, or alternatively on a maximum demand system. COMMERCIAL COOKING A flat rate of lid a unit for all units consumed through a special meter. DOMESTIC SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE HOUSES The first 16 units a month, 5d a unit; the next 16 units a month, 3d a unit; and for all In excess of 32 units a month, lid a uniL Flat rate charge for water-heaters of 10s for 50 watts or any part thereof per annum, with a minimum charge of £4 per annum. There is also special rates for night sports and flash signs.