Higher Charges for Electricity In Feilding District

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 63, 17 March 1944, Page 6

Higher Charges for Electricity In Feilding District

The operation of, the Tower Board's new schedule of charges for electricity as far as householders are concerned reveals in cases brought under the notice of Mr. F. G. Guy, Feilding’s representative on the board, that far from showing any reduction, the board is reaping additional revenue from its Feilding consumers. This confirms the view expressed in these columns when the board was considering the new scale of charges submitted by the board’s engineer. It was contended that the adjusted charges for the hot water service wherein consumption of electricity was to be metered, that those householders who- depended on this service would have to pay more for the privilege . and this has been clearly demonstrated as being the case by last month’s accounts. When the question was first raised as to the adjusted charges ill*. Guy opposed the scheme and claimed that the board could not justify its action of extracting additional revenue in face of a profit ot £19,000. However, the new scale of charges was approved by the Price Tribunal without any consideration of the lot of the consumer and Feilding households are aware to-day that they are being unfairly treated and penalised. Last month water heaters were cut off for a total of 73 hours, approximately 2i hours a day. In his efforts to obtain some readjustment of the position Mr. Guy has not received very sympathetic consideration by the other members of the board who largely represent farmers whose position is no better than the citizen of Feilding in the matter of the higher charges. It would appear that while the action ol the board was designed to conserve power the new schedule has produced a higher revenue despite the fact that the board's purchase of power during February was down by 13 per, cent. It is understood that while the board was able to effect a real saving of 13 per cent, in power consumed during February. x’almerston North actually consumed 8 per cent, more juice.