Lotto with the bill?

Press, 22 April 1987, Page 1

Lotto with the bill?

Lyttelton residents may soon be able to chance their luck with Lotto when they pay their electricity bills.

The Lyttelton Borough Council agreed at its meeting last evening to let the Port Hills Energy Authority apply for a Lotto franchise to be run from its Lyttelton showroom.

Cr Marnie May said that in this competitive age it was Important the authority be allowed to consider new ways of giving customers the best deal.

“It it can make a profit out of Lotto and so keep electricity prices down, we should approve it,” she said.

Although she had some personal . reservations about Lotto, “if we don’t sell them, someone else in Lyttelton certainly will.” Cr Euan Godfrey said that on that basis the council could consider running massage parlours. Cr Stan Helms spoke out strongly against the proposal and said it showed no social concern whatsoever.

“We say the authority is an environmentally conscious, caring body,” he said. “We can’t push Lotto or any other recognised vice.”

The issue must still be discussed by the Heathcote County Council, Lyttelton’s partner in the Port Hills Energy Authority, before final approval to seek the Lotto franchise is given.