Woman complains of power disconnection

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33654, 2 October 1974, Page 18

Woman complains of power disconnection

A middle-aged solo parent and her son stayed with friends last night after the Municipal Electricity Department yesterday disconnected the power to her flat.

Mrs G. Riach said she arrived home at her flat at 5.30 p.m. yesterday to find it without power, and a letter from the M.E.D. saying: “It is regretted that owing to your failure to pay the deposit amounting to $l5, it has been necessary to disconnect your premises.” Mrs Riach moved into the flat with her son five weeks ago. The letter saying that the power had been disconnected was the first indication she had received from the M.E.D. that a deposit was required. “I have been an M.E.D. consumer in Christchurch for many years, but this is the first time I have heard anything about having to pav a deposit,” she said. Mrs Riach telephoned the emergency division of the M.E.D. — the only section of the department she could contact after hours — to try to find out more about the situation. She said that when she explained to the attendant that she could not cook a meal for her son, she was promptly told by the attendant that he was not paid to discuss the culinary arts. Mrs Riach said she thought that 48 hours notice should have been given to her before the power was disconnected — even if she was aware that she had not paid; the deposit. “Just think what could' have happened if there were young children in the house,”: she said. Mrs Riach will this mom-j ing take her letter to the] M.E.D. office and ask to have the power restored. 1

“Not being warned is bad enough, but having to produce a letter with large red marks all over it, indicating Suite clearly that I am 'in le red’ is pretty embarrassing,” she said. The letter also said that a fee of $1 would be charged for the restoration of power to the flat—another matter which has annoyed Mrs Riach. The accountant for the M.E.D. (Mr A. G. Mintrom) said last evening that although it was possible, it was “extremely unlikely” that Mrs Riach had not received at least two letters asking for the deposit before her power was cut off. Mr Mintrom said such letters were not ! registered.