COST OF ELECTRICITY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4658, 6 February 1924, Page 2

COST OF ELECTRICITY.

CHARGES BY LOCAL BOARD MANY OBJECTIONS VOICED. At the meeting yesterday of the lhames Valley Electric Power Board several complaints were received cunceining the prices charged by the board. . A settler in Htnuera wrote asking for a ••eduction in the charge for nis milking-shed motor foi the year as, owing to a death of a principal member of the family, the herd had been reduced from 40 to 10 cows, and with such a large reduction in the herd .1 was not possible to finance the instal- _ ments on the 2h.p. motor as they be came due. Mr Anderson said that he was familiar with the circumstances, and he would favour a reduction being » made as it was a special case. Mr Flatt said to grant a reduction would be establishing a dangerous precedent. After some discussion : t was resolved that the present charge should be maintained, but that a substantial discount should be allowed owing to the exceptional circumstances. H. J Luke, of Turua, wrote objecting to the methods of payment Jenvinded by the Board for in,stallatip.r of motors, and also the cost of power for farm uses. He contended that owing to the high prices charged by £ the Board the farmers had found it far cheaper to continue using benzine engines on their farms for milking purposes. The small farmer was “hard hit” by the charges demanded, and it was considered that if the Board was anxious to increase its number of consumers it could only do so by offering better terms to the' farmers and by reducing its charges. The chairman said that the writer had been advised that the matter would be reconsidered at the end ot March. Mr Willy thought that the Board should make it clear to consumers that they were required to pay onethird of the cost on installation, and that the balance could be spread over quarterly payments. s. Mr Flatt said that there appeared to be a general misunderstanding as J to how payments were to be made. The matter was referred to the special finance committee for a report. The Lands Department, Kerepeehi, wrote slating its objection to the increase for lighting charges as levied by the Board as from January of this year, as the Department using a considerable quantity of power in connection with its workshop at Kerepeehi, and considered it should be exempt from the increase. The chairman said that the Department was already receiving cheap rates on the power consumed in the workshop. The matter was referred to the engineers. Mr F. E. Foster, Te Aroha West, in , complaint stated that unless some ■ other arrangement could be made to effect a saving he would have to have the power cut off from either bis "T house or his office. L. C. Coward, of Matatoki, objected to the Board’s proposed increase in charges for power, and stated that he had no intention of installing a motor in his jnilking-shed unless the Board was prepared to find a purchaser for his oil engine, for which he was asking £45. The writer contended that the Board was not following the policy submitted by its-canvasser. It was agreed to try and sell the engine for the writer, but otherwise ; the agreement entered into would have to stand. The Paeroa Borough Council wrote asking the Board- to reconsider its decision with regard to granting a reduction for lighting the bowling green. This matter was deferred for . a month. ’ i