FRANKLIN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 10

FRANKLIN AFFAIRS.

BOARD'S FINANCES.

AMALGAMATION" NOT WANTED.

"In view of the latest reductions in charges I would not be in favour of amalgamating with any other power board. Franklin's charges for power are the lowest of any county board I know of," said the chairman of the Franklin Electric Power Board, Mr. John Dean, at Monday's meeting, when announcing the following further reductions in charges: Minimum lighting charge, from 4/ to 3/ per month; separator motors, from 5/ to 4/ per month; meter rental, from 5/ to 3/ per year. The reductions, will take effect next month, and are estimated to amount to about £1700 a year.

The secretary, Mr. S. P. Day, presented the balance-sheet, which showed a credit of £2862 in the revenue account, including assistance received from the stamp duty of 10 per cent levied on debenture interest, which amounted to £1237. Of the surplus, £2000 was written off motor vehicles, tools, and equipment, and £842 added to the unappropriated balance.

A statement in regard to the board's progress relative to costs and charges showed that the amount received per unit sold in 1926 was 5.116 and in 1933 1.1; working costs per ■ unit sold, 1926 3.316, 1933 .61; capital charges per unit sold, 1926, 1.693, 1933, .45. "This table as a decreasing record of costs and charges over a period of eight years cannot, I submit, be surpassed by any other supply authority," said Mr. Day.

The engineer, Mr. L. G. Sharp, in a comprehensive report, outlined the outdoor activities during the year. The increase in milking and separation motors for 1032 was 160, and for 1933 272—a total of 432 in two years. The cost of power showed an increase of £1269 for the year. There-were 713 miles of lines in the power district.