BAY OF PLENTY BRD.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 517, 28 April 1933, Page 6

BAY OF PLENTY BRD.

Our Own Correspondent.)

brisk discussion over suggested cut in rates PRESENT PRICE VERY LOW

(From

Opotiki, Thursday. The following motion by Mr. Peebles gave rise to considerable comment at the meeting of the Bay of Plenty Power Board on Thursday at which the full board was present: — "That in view of the substantial reduction in interest through the board's loan conver-sion, the board go into the question of granting relief to consumers to the' amount | saved in interest." Mr. Peebles said that the success of the board was wrapped up with the success of the consumers and that while the prices for primary products had fallen considerably the price3 for electricity had remained the same. His idea in pntting forward such a motion had been to have the whole matter discussed with a view; to reduced charges if that were possible. In reply to the chairman's- request, Mr. S. Maxwell said he would be prepared to second the motion if Mr. Peebles would alter the last portion to read "as far as is practicable, having regard to the safety of the board's finances." Mr. J. Tahb seconded the motion pro forma, remarking, however, that he understood that the executive offlcers of the board were gathering data as to the actual savings and until this was done he did not see that the board could consider the matter. Mr. Burrett: "No, Mr. chairman. I do not see that we can do anything until the information .is 'available. I think the notice of motion is nothing but' eye-wash." Mr. Maxwell pointed out that the board must have due regard to the state of its own finances with a view to extension activities, depreciation, etc. The chairman remarked that it had ■always been the policy of the board to extend every relief possible to the consumer, but they had also always endeavoured to manage their business so that "the'user paid" and they were saved the necessity of striking a rate. The matter of a reduction of eHarges had never been lost sight of but until such time as the board knew what its actual savings were, he did not see that anything could be done. At the chairman's request, the en-gineer-manager, Mr. J. D. Dicker, then quoted comparative figures as compiled by Mr. F. M. Kissell, chief electrical engineer to the Public Works Department which showed that the Bay of Plenty Board's charges were the lowest in the province on the basis of average revenue per unit.