HUTT POWER BOARD

Evening Post, Issue 20, 23 July 1935, Page 11

HUTT POWER BOARD

CHARGES AND REPLY

"An Old Resident" writes to "The Post":—

"As one who has lived many years in the Hult with Home experience of local body administration and a con;; sumer since the establishment of the Hutt Valley Power Board, I have taken a close interest in the charges made by Mr. Andrews, and the very lengthy reply made by the chairman in which he attacks Mr. Andrews. I am still of opinion that Mr. Andrews has fairly represented the views of a large section of the board's consumers. The main question to be considered is as to whether the administration has not been too costly, and as to whether the board should not concentrate on reducing the costs in the interest of the district under its jurisdiction.

"It appears to me. that, a complete justification for Mr1. Andrews's indictment of the board is contained in the Public Works Department report referred to in his reply. At page 51 of the extract, it is shown that out of forty-six boards operating in New Zealand only four are worse off in relation to total working expenses as to revenue than the Hutt Board, namely, Banks Peninsula; Malvern, • Waimea, and Wairoa. If these figures are correct surely there is; a duty incumbent on the board to take immediate and drastic steps to reduce the costs. "To say that Mr. Andrews, in drawing attention to this:, .was actuated only by a desire for self-advertisement is merely begging the question, and is no answer at all. The figures published appear to show that while revenue has decreased during the past three years administration cost has increased. Some years ago the board invited consumers to put in electric water-heating service which was to cost £9, and after scrapping the existing service and incurring the expense of an electrical installation, the price was, in a very short time, raised to £20. In spite of the protests of consumers no relief was given. Neither the present board nor the present general manager was responsible for the original fixing of the price of £9, but surely in fairness those who have made a considerable loss over this transaction, and are paying for water heating, are entitled to share in the very considerable financial benefit derived by the board owing to the 20 per cent, reduction in interest and further reduction as a result of the loan conversion.

"I think I am representing the view of a considerable number of consumers that a public service has been done by directing the board's attention to these matters,, and that the reply of the chairman, which was described in headlines as a strong reply, is strong, only in its language but ineffective as an adequate reply to Mr. Andrews's criticism, and, as far as one can judge, Mr. Andrews made a study of his subject, and carefully examined all sources of information that wore available to him before making his criticism. It will. be a dreadful state of affairs if members of the board are merely to be so many ciphers registering decrees of the general manager, however efficient he may be, without daring to raise their voices in protest when necessity requires it."