238
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
At the beginning of the year the Company had 111,613 con- sumers. By the end of the year this had risen to 132,015. 512 new factories were connected to the Company's supply during the year.
Charges for electricity (per unit) during the year were:
Lighting
Power
4
Domestic Power
Kowloon
New Territories
29 cents
37 cents
14 cents
14 cents
13 cents
13 cents
These rates are subject to a variable fuel surcharge, at present 9 per cent. Discounts are granted for large consumption, and special rates quoted for bulk supply.
The only part of the New Territories to have an independent source of electric light is Cheung Chau, where there has been an electric power station since 1913. Originally a community project, it was later sold to commercial interests and has since changed hands several times. The present owners, the Cheung Chau Electric Co., Ltd., have their offices in Victoria. The basic rate has been reduced during 1959, and from 1st January 1960 the rate will be further reduced to 72 cents a unit for lighting and 32 cents a unit for domestic and commercial power. Special reductions are given to large consumers.
Gas. The Hong Kong and China Gas Co., Ltd. supplies gas to domestic and industrial consumers on both sides of the Harbour.
The cross harbour gas mains are now in commission. More than half of the gas used on the Island is now supplied from the mainland and with the completion of the new gas making plant at Ma Tau Kok in the near future the old West Point Works will be closed down and all gas for Hong Kong Island will be made at Ma Tau Kok. Gas-making capacity will be such that the Company can expect to meet increases in demand for some time to come.
Extensions to the distribution system have been made and gas is now available for industrial purposes in the Castle Peak Road area west of Lai Chi Kok. Gas is also available to a point west of the Airport, and it is hoped to extend these mains in due course to serve the Kwun Tong industrial area. Extensions on the Island have been made past the North Point area to the east and to the Queen Mary Hospital to the west.