RADIO SETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 208, 3 September 1935, Page 12

RADIO SETS.

CHANGE IN CURRENT.

QUESTION OF COMPENSATION.

POWER BOABB'S POMCY.

"This opens up a big question." said Mr. S. J. Harbutt, acting-chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board yesterday afternoon, when tho board was asked by the Auckland Provincial Radio Traders' Association to outline its policy in regard to compensating owners of radio sets when it "changed over' , areas supplied with electricity from direct current to alternating current.

The association eaid that some of its members had received requests from owners of direct current radio sets in affected areas for compensation on their sets, and they considered that the question of compensation was a matter for the board. It was understood that where the change-over was likely to affect a great number of consumers, the board had arranged for a supply of both currents, and that in other instance* the change-over had been made without leaving the dual supply. The general manager, Mr. E. 11. BartIcy, said he had arranged for the letter to come before the meeting as he did not think the board had any minute setting out its decision in connection with the matter. In cases where a change-over had been made to prevent a number of repairs to the existing direct current system—a'change for some good of the boaxd—the board had shouldered the cost involving the apparatus affected, although not legally bound to do so. Where the consumer had the option of both supplies, however, he felt the board was not called _upon to shoulder any cost. Ho thought it would be a. dangerous precedent if the board were to aseumo any direct responsibility. Mr, E. H. Potter considered tho matter should receive further consideration. He understood that Mr. Bartloy was going v to report on tho alternating current and direct current aa'eas, and they might have from him a comprehensive report which might guido the board's policy. Mr. S. I. Crookes said that the position was that where the board pressed a change on tho consumers in its own interests, it accepted the responsibility. H the case were tho other way round and the board was going to be involved in a lot of unnecessary expense the work was done at the consumer's expense. Mr.' J. Park said tha.t there was a lot of capital invested in direct current plant, and the board could not possibly take the matter; over as its responsibility. Upon the chairman's suggestion, it was finally decided to refer the association's letter to the general manager for a report.