Riccarton power up

Press, 26 February 1980, Page 6

Riccarton power up

An over-all increase of 6 per cent in electricity tariffs was approved by the Riccarton Borough Council last evening. Domestic charges in Riccarton will jncrease about 2 per cent or $9 a year for the average household. Cr R. S. Lester voted against the increase. Electricitv costs were already too high, and the borough had made an “exorbitant” profit. The increases could have been absorbed by the council. he said at the meeting.

The Mayor (Mr R. W. J. Harrington), disputed that the profits were “exorbitant” and said that any profits were reminded to the community for the consumers’ benefit.

At the meeting it was decided that the council would raise a “Home Insuation and Solar Water Heating Loan 1979.” ■

The Local Authority Loans’ Board has approved the loan. It will mature on April 30, 1988, and will be interest free. Repayment will be deter mined by the Mortgage Loans Committee of the Housing Corporation. The 1980 - 81 dog fees are as follows:-combined dog registration fee $l6, hydatids control only $lO late registration $4; redosing hydatids fee $lO, special call fee for owners who fail to present the dog at the yard (and if another house call is needed)

$5, impounding fee $lO, (plus sustenance costs of $2 a day), and collars (where needed) $1 each. A position for a community affairs officer has been created by the council, and interviews for the job will be held on Saturday morning. In his address at the beginning of the meeting the Mayor was optimistic about the borough’s progress in the 1980’s' even though expenditure would have to be curbed. . :

A bible had been presented to him from the Gideons and it would lie on the council table for the benefit of the councillors’ spiritual help. He hoped it would become dogeared thorugh use throughout the years,' he said.