METERS FOR POWER.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 288, 16 May 1929, Page 3

METERS FOR POWER.

FARMERS PROTEST. “ Eoard Broken Contract.” The rece it decision of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board to do away with the flat rate system of charging on the farms and to instal meters was discussed by the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand ■ Farmers’ Union on Saturday night. Mr. M. E. Barrowclough said the contention of the board was that there was a wastage in peak hours. He failed to see where the wastage was. The board’s engineer and other officials had met the branch several months ago. The engineer had been asked to show where the wastage | was, with a nydro-electric scheme, j and he had been unable to do so. I At the present time the board bought J its load at peak prices and the load that did not go to waste at the peak made no difference to the board. The only wastage that the speaker knew of in the peak was the use of waterpumping plants in conjunction with milking motors, and this had been pointed out to the engineer. A suggestion that time switches be installed to control these had been turned down. Were meters installed an army of meter readers would have to be employed, while the capital cost of meters and repairs would be enormous. A heavy loss in installation and reading would be involved. Apparently the farmers were going to pay more through the installation of meters, and the matter should be I gone into more thoroughly. The engineer should be asked where the I leakage was. Apparently the board I didj not know, and was going to instal meters to find out. Mr. A. Topham said the Power Board appeared to be rushing into this matter. In his opinion it would be a bad thing, for if meters went into the sheds farmers would not use their hot water heaters to the same extent as they otherwise would, and the quality of the produce would suffer.

Mr. Carter said the Power Board was breaking its contract with the farmers, who had agreed to take power on a flat rate. Mr. Fisher pointed out that it was the small farmer who would suffer most, as he took longer to milk. After further discussion it was decided that Messrs. J. E. Leeson and M. E. Barrowclough should wait on the board at its next meeting and place before members the views of the branch.