ENG-1962 — Page 291

PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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been a 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 again reduced during the year and now stands at 65 cents a unit for lighting and 28 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 in the Colony. Gas production is centred at Ma Tau Kok in Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island is supplied by underwater mains crossing the harbour. Appliances and gas equipment can be obtained from or through the company by purchase, hire-purchase or rental. Technical advice on the commercial and industrial uses of gas is freely available. Gas is sold in units of 100 cubic feet and charges are of two kinds-standing charges and regular charges. Standing charges include the cost of the first seven units of gas and are chargeable whether the units are consumed or not. They are as follows:

•

For meters having a rated capacity of less

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

than 1,000 cubic feet an hour

$11.10 a month

$24.60 a month

Under regular charges gas consumed in excess of seven units a month is at the following rates:

8---- 20 units @ $1.30 a unit 21-

100 units @ $1.28 a unit 101- 250 units @ $1.25 a unit 251 500 units @ $1.20 a unit 501-1,000 units @ $1.15 a unit 1,001-2,000 units @ $1.10 a unit

Over-2,000 units @ $1.05 a unit

The company is prepared to consider special bulk supply rates on an individual basis for consumers using over 5,000 units a month. The total quantity of gas sold in 1962 was 909,096,400 cubic feet compared with 845,227,300 cubic feet in 1961. The number of consumers rose from 15,446 to 16,448. The company now offers liquified petroleum gas (bottled gas) to consumers who are unable or do not wish to use gas supplied through the company's pipes. The charge for bottled gas ranges from 65 cents a pound for domestic consumers to 50 cents a pound for bulk supply.