ELECTRIC LIGHT CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1917, Page 5

ELECTRIC LIGHT CHARGES.

THE QUESTION DISCUSSED. At tlie meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council last night, on the motion to adopt the Electric Lighting Committee's report, Cr, Hayden said he 'bought the proposed charge for house lighting might be fairly increased by a penny, making it the same,as for shop lighting, and with a view to having the matter further considered he moved as an amendment that the report be referred back to the committee. Cr. Browne seconded the amendment, but on the ground that he did not consider the meter charge was fair and equitable to large and small consumers alike. Cr. Griffiths thought the meter charge was a fair one, and the minimum charge he also considered fair to all. The council had a large plant, and it was only tight that the use of it should be paid fO''. Cr. Clarke said the position appeared to be ihat Cr. Hayden opposed the committee's proposals because he thought the charges too low, -aid pr. Browne opposes them because he thought them too high. If, as Cr. Hayden proposed, they increased the price by another Id per unit, it would result in a large increase in the revenue which was really not required, although no doubt it would look well on paper if they had a large credit balance. The committee's proposals had not been made altogether to increase the revenue, but with a view to removing existing anomalies, the ei.gineer having nointed out that in some cases the charges they had been making operated ■mfairly. As to the meter charge of GA per month, or 6s per annum, he pointed out that the average cost of keeping a 'neter in order was 2s 6d a year, so that the council would only be making a profit of 3s Od a year to meet other charges, such as interest and depreciation. It should also be remembered that !hey hall to recover, if possible, some of what they had lost during the last ten years. At the rates proposed the profit would be about £ISOO per annum, which he considered was only a reasonable margin on which to work. On being put the amendment was negatived, and the motion for the adoption c.f the report carried.