PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
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new factories were connected to the Company's supply during the year. Charges for electricity (per unit) during the year were:
Lighting
Power
Domestic Cooking
29 cents
14 cents
13 cents
These rates are subject to a variable fuel surcharge, at present 7 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,
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 was reduced during 1960, and from 1st January 1961 the rate will be further reduced from 72 cents to 68 cents a unit for lighting and from 32 cents to 30 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, commercial and industrial consumers on both sides of the Harbour. All gas is made at Ma Tau Kok and the Island is supplied entirely by means of underwater mains across the Harbour. Gas is available along the whole of the North side of the Island from Queen Mary Hospital in the West to Quarry Bay in the East, as well as in the Happy Valley and Peak areas. On the mainland a gas supply is available over the whole of the Kowloon Peninsula and up to a line running roughly from Lai Chi Kok in West along the hills to the Kai Tak RAF Station in the East. Further exten- sions are planned to other areas.
Appliances and gas equipment can be obtained from or through the Company by purchase, hire purchase, or on a simple rental basis. Technical advice on the commercial and industrial uses of gas is freely available. New charges were introduced in 1960 to the benefit of larger consumers. Gas is sold in units of 100 cubic feet, and charges are in two parts, namely, Standing Charges and Regular Charges. 'Standing Charges' include the cost of the first 7