CHARGES FOR LIGHTING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5175, 7 September 1927, Page 3

CHARGES FOR LIGHTING.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICE LINE. COMPLAINT OF UNFAIRNESS. The question of charges for installation of electricity was raised by Mr F. E. Flatt at yesterday’s meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board at Te Aroha. Mr Flatt mentioned that he had a to voice on behalf of two Paeroa residents. These residents had installed electric lighting in their homes and, despite the fact that the service line had to be taken a few yards only to the houses, the board had seen fit to make a charge of £2 10s. In his opinion the charge was grossly unfair under the circumstances. In cases of that kind a fairer way would be to charge for labour and material, plus the usual charge to cover overhead expenses. In his opinion the minimum charge for such .cases was too high. The manager (Mr R. Sprague) said that even with a minimum charge of £2 10s the board was making nothing out of it, because on short-distance installations the board was required to use special braided wire, which was expensive.

After a brief discussion Mr Flatt moved to the effect that for all installations under one chain in distance only labour, material, and bare overhead expenses be charged. He said the board should not expect to make an undue profit on such instal-

lations. Mr J. Price said he would like to second the resolution, but thought the new regulations would cover the motion.

Mr Flatt said that he was prepared to withdraw hist resolution in the meantime provided the charge of £2 10s was not levied on the consumers mentioned by him. Mr Price thought it was desirable to seek legal advice on several clauses arising out of the new regulations. As he read them, provision was how made for the licensee (the board) being required to erect a service line to within 60ft of a consumer’s ffiouse, and that the minimum charge would be done away with. He moved that the new regulations be referred to counsel for the Power Boards’ Association for a definite ruling. Mr Flatt said he would be glad to second the resolution. The board was spending the ratepayers’ money, and their interests should be studied.