ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4300, 5 August 1921, Page 2

ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Sir,—I am one of quite a few who believe ourselves to be suffering from an injustice ; in fact, we believe we have been “had.” When electric light ,was available in our town we .Were invited to participate, and we were told that fittings would be so much, and the .light s~> much, which on the flat rate would be equivalent to Is per point. However, in my own case the Board, two months ago, installed a meter, and ti*y as I might, I cannot reduce it be • low 2s per point. The Board says my meter is right, as they have said others are, but what I want to know is, when the persons responsible fixed the flat rate at Is, wnxt did they base their calculations on ? Was it policy ? Have we been “had” ? The Is per point seems to have been a “sprat to catch a mackerel.” In my case I have five points, and the most economical use results in a bill jor 10s 6d. ■ ' "

While I am in now, and I have to pay (like many others) still, I say it savours of a good "have,” selling ’o a man on the flat rate of Is a point, and in a few weeks’ time installing a meter which, with economical use, costs him 2s a point.

In ,the agreement that is supposed to be signed it says that if you compl,ain about your meter they will have their engineer test it; and if it is within 5 per cent, right, you pay •ss, otherwise they will credit you with ..the overcharge. It is my opinion that the Board should come under the Weights and Measures Act, the same as grocers and bakers, etc., and be subject to the same penalty if their "scalee” are out a fraction. USER.