SCHOOL LIGHTING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 9 December 1927, Page 9

SCHOOL LIGHTING

COMPLAINTS AGAINST CHARGES REVISION AT THE YEAR’S END. Complaints that the board’s rates for lighting were excessive were received by the Hawke’s Bay ElectricPower Board yesterday from the Napier High School Board and Woodford House School at Havelock North, and in each case the board was asked to make a reduction. The chairman (Mr. J. B. Andrew): We have fixed our tariff for this year and the question is whether it would be wise to alter it before the year is ended.

Mr. J. H. Scott: Do these schools come under the classification of “boarding house?” Mr. H. Hill: 1 think we should inform the schools that the question of charges will be considered at the end of the year. Mr Scott: Daylight saying is going to hit us hard. It is going to make a difference of £lOOO a year to Hastings. This is a matter we must not lose sight of. Mr. Andrew: The essence of the Act is “Service’ but we cannot be expected to alter our tariff every little while. Mr. Chambers: I understand that Woodford House School was informed that the rates under the Power Board would be less than those charged by the Town Board. It would be a hardship to ask them to pay 8d per unit when they were only paying the Town Board 6d. I agree that they should be advised that a revision in the charges will be made shortly.

Mr. J. W. Callaghan: It is not a question of tariff but one of classification. I am surprised to know that schools are expected to pay 8d per unit.

Mr. Scott: They are both boarding establishments.

Mr. Callaghan: We should look upon them as educational institutions and give them light on, the lowest possible basis. The Napier school has been connected with the board’s supply for some. time. Were, these two institutions included in the estimates when framed by the engineer ? The chairman: Yes. It was then agreed to inform both institutions that, the charges would be reviewed at the end of the year.