STOPPING A METER.

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 20 May 1930, Page 11

STOPPING A METER.

■WARNING. TO, POWER USERS

(Special to "The Evening Post")

PALMEKSTON N., TMs Day. - "If is a serious matter when consumers take it upon ■ themselves "to interfere with the meters; In/ future if persons come before me charged, with this offence, the penalty will be a heavy, one," said Mr' J. L.; Stout, 5.M.,. ill the Palmerston North Magistrate's Court yesterday morning when fining a Baumai farmer for interfering with aii electric meter, the property of the-Mauawhatu-Oroua ' Electric' Power Board. ".., , .. ' ■ '.'.': :.'

Mr. L. Laurenson, who appeared for the power board, stated that the proceedings had been brought under bylaw 92 of the board, and were designed as a. warning to consumers that under .tho Act they were liable to a fine not exceeding £50 for breaches of this nature. The board did'not desire a heavy penalty in this case, but wished to^ draw1 the attention of consumers to their re.r. sponsibilities. . , ":';"■

In this case, a straw had been insert^ ed in the meter in such a manner that it prevented it registering. The straw1 had been inserted by a son of the de 7 fendant, who himself had been/uquita ignorant of what had taken place. He wished to make it quite plain that defendant had had nothing to do with tlie matter, although he was the; owner of tlic property.' ■ The Magistrate stated that he. would vidw the case as a -warning, and fined the defendant £2 with 12s costs.-. -.