ELECTRICITY CHARGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1943, Page 5

ELECTRICITY CHARGES

REDUCTION IN DOMESTIC TARIFF TO OFFSET CHANGE IN WATER HEATING RATES. POWER BOARD DECISION. (“Times-Age” Special.) To compensate for any increase in the revenue which the Wairarapa Electric Power Board may obtain as a result of the metering of water heating, the domestic tariff has been reduced and will result in a saving to the consumers of £1146 pei - annum. Formerly the following domestic tariff operated as follow (net charges): Private residences only: (a) Lighting and usual utility points: (No. of rooms x 2) units per month, sd; next 60 lid, next 120 Id, balance of units i/d. (b) “All Electric Home” —lighting, cooking and usual utility points: (No. of rooms x 2) units per month sd, next 60 Lid, balance of units Jd. (c) Domestic —private residences with stovette, etc. (No. of rooms x 2) units per month sd, next 100 units per month l|d, balance of units ijd. Minimum primary units, 10; minimum charge, 3s. Under the new scheme rates A and C above have been eliminated in place of rate B.

WAIRARAPA SOUTH COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING OF MEMBERS. REPAIRING OF ROADS. (“Times-Age” Special.) Cr. A. E. Reid presided over the monthly meeting of the Wairarapa South Coupty Council, held yesterday at Carterton. There were also present: Crs. M. McGregor, C. Cameron, A. McGregor, E. W. Allen, L. O. Rayner, L. S. Gallon and F. Court. An apology for absence was received from Cr. J. K. Strang. The chairman referred to the illness of Cr. Strang, who was granted leave of absence until such time as he was well enough to again attend council meetings. The treasurer’s statement showed a credit balance of £4071 4s 7d. Regarding the water race on ‘Mr Rayner’s property, “The Cliffs,” the chairman reported that, along with Cr. Court and the county overseer, he had inspected the race. The overseer suggested three alternatives to prevent cattle breaking the sides of the race. Councillors were of opinion that the placing of boulders covered with gravel would be a means of preventing further damage. It was resolved to approach Mr Rayner and ascertain if he will be prepared to bear half the cost of the work.

It was decided to support the Carterton Borough Council in an appeal for Mr Underhill's workmen to be exempted from military service. The two employees referred to are both married men and registered plumbers. There was considerable plumbing work to be done in the county and borough, and it was felt that if these men were taken into the armed forces the Carterton district would be left without registered plumbers.

The chairman (Mr A. E. Reid) was appointed a co-trustee with the Mayor of Carterton on the Memorial Square Committee.

It was reported that eight eLains of willows had been washed out from the embankment of the Ruamahanga River near the Kokotau bridge, and if something were not done soon the river would cause serious damage. It was resolved that a committee consisting of the chairman, Crs. M. McGregor, F. Court, R. O. Rayner and L. S. Gallon, and the overseer, together with Mr Turnbull, of the Public Works Department, inspect the damage. Cr. Rayner thought that the 'time was opportune to clean up the headworks of the Taratahi water race. The matter was referred to the overseer. A vote of thanks was accorded to the trustees of the late B. R. Rayner’s estate for having generously met the council in disposing of sufficient land for river protection works at the headworks of the Taratahi water race. The matter of a bad bend in the road at Belvedere, near the school, was dis-

cussed, and it was decided to take steps to procure land from Mr Summers for deviation purposes. Cr. Gallon asked for a grant to assist in payment of damage caused by the earthquake to the Carterton Public Library. It was resolved that the county meet half the cost of work already done. Cr. Rayner thought it was time that the county spent money on roads. In many cases the roads were beginning to wear, and something should be done to them even if there was a war on.

The chairman said that the Highways Board had reduced the expenditure to a minimum. He thought the County should instruct its overseer to do extra work on the roads.

Cr. M. McGregor contended that the County should spend what the Highway Board allowed, and if this amount were not sufficient the County should apply for further assistance. The chairman gave an interesting report on the County Conference.