View report page

181
PRICES.
The price charged for public supply is also the
lowest of any, being only 1.33d. per unit as against 3.5d. per
unit in some places, more than we now charge for the
commercial or private supply.
The average price obtained for the commercial supply
has this year dropped to 2d. per unit, the lowest recorded at the
present time. Last year the average price at Stepney was
slightly lower than ours, but higher than the prices now paid
in Hammersmith.
It will thus be seen that the consumer in Hammersmith
is now reaping a substantial advantage from his own
Municipal Plant, and those who also have business premises in
other districts well know the meaning of this in £ s. d. The
question is whether too much has been given to him and not
enough to the Ratepayer in general.
It must be remembered that electricity is not a necessity
like water, drainage, roads, &c., but there are possible
makeshifts. The great stumbling block against the more
extended use of electricity is the heavy expense thrown on the
would be consumer in providing the necessary consuming
devices. The Council has expended £275,440 in providing the
means of supply, but this expenditure is absolutely useless
unless there is a further expenditure by the Ratepayers themselves
in providing the necessary wires, fittings, motors, radiators,
&c. It is these people who have expended their own
capital, estimated at
Lamps, &c. £53,000
Motors, &c. 12,000
£65,000
who make it possible for you to earn this year's revenue of
£30,597 for current sold.
COMPARISON OF HEAVY AND LIGHT OUTPUT.
Diagram No. 6 shows the difference between our
heaviest day's output and a light summer day. It will be seen
that we are compelled to spend money on consumers who take
a supply just in the winter, when everyone is requiring current,
and we are unable to earn any revenue from this capital during
the summer. This proves the wisdom of increasing the output
during the daytime for power and industrial purposes in order
to provide work for the plant even if it gives a very small nett
profit, as "half a loaf is better than no bread." The adoption
of the powers recently obtained through the L.C.C. for hiring
motors and other apparatus to consumers would greatly assist
in this respect.