ENG-1961 — Page 278

232

PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Charges 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, 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 was reduced several times during the past few years. The present rate is 68 cents per unit for lighting and 30 cents per unit for domestic and commercial power. Special reductions are given to large

consumers.

Gas. The Hong Kong & China Gas Co Ltd, supplies gas to consumers in the Colony. All gas is made at Ma Tau Kok in Kowloon, and the Island is supplied by mains which run under the harbour. Gas is supplied 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 there is a supply to the whole of the Kowloon Peninsula and up to a line running roughly from Lai Chi Kok in the west along the hills to, the Kai Tak RAF Station in the east. Further extensions 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 given without charge. Gas is sold in units of 100 cubic feet. Charges are in two parts, namely, Standing Charges and Regular Charges. 'Standing Charges' include the cost of the first 7 units of gas and are chargeable whether these 7 units are con- sumed or not. They are as follows:

For meters having a rated capacity of less

than 1,000 cubic feet per hour For meters having a rated capacity of

more than 1,000 cubic feet per hour

$11.10 per month

$24.60 per month