ELECTRICITY METERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1946, Page 9

ELECTRICITY METERS

MONTHLY READING TO BE RECONSIDERED additional expenses Although the Grey Electric Power Board decided last month that the system of monthly readings should be reinstituted as soon as possible, an indication was given at last evening’s meeting of the board that this decision will be reconsidered, in view of the expense involved in the change. The question was reopened last evening by Mr W. McGilchrist,. who asked whether the secretary (Mr W. S. MeClymont) could give members any idea of the cost of returning to the system of monthly readings. The secretary said he had been going into the matter and he thought it was going to be “a whole heap” more costly than before. The increase in the board’s district and in the number of consumers was going to make it much more costly to have monthly readings. Another Motor Car? Mr P. Blanchfield asked whether the board would require another motor car for the meter reading staff. The secretary: Yes, I think so. Mr Blanchfield said he thought the board had made a mistake in not asking the secretary for an estimate of the cost before making a decision on the matter. It had been brought to his notice that it was going to mean a big expense and possibly the purchase of another car. He thought that when the secretary had completed his report, the members should reconsider, the matter and perhaps even rescind the previous resolution. The secretary indicated that he would present the report on the likely cost at the next meeting, and the discussion lapsed. Penalty Charge Mr Blanchfield asked the secretary whether it was too soon for him to tell if the reduction in the penalty charge for late payment of accounts, from twopence to one penny in the shilling had brought about any laxity in payments. The secretary: I would say it is too soon, but I have not noticed anything unusual yet. Mr Blanchfield: If it was being played upon, it would have come to your notice? The secretary: Yes.