COUNCIL’S CLAIM FOR POWER REBATE FAILS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1949, Page 4

COUNCIL’S CLAIM FOR POWER REBATE FAILS

DUNEDIN. This Day (P.A.).— A claim by the Clutha County Council against the Otago Electric Power Board for a rebate on the cost of electricity during the period of restriction was rejected by Mr A. E. Dobbie S.M., in a reserved judgment.

Mr Dobbie found for the board with costs. He said he was unable to find anything in the evidence which entitled the council to claim a rebate on the annual charge, if for any reason energy was not supplied to light certain lamps during the period of electricity restrictions. The council had cut off certain street lights and when the board made the lull charge the council claimed a rebate, which was refused • under a threat of cutting off the total supply. The board forced the council to pay under protest the full account. Mr Dobbie found that there was a contract to supply electricity for street lighting at an annual charge for each street. The lamp charge was inclusive, covering installation, maintenance and supply, and there was no evidence showing how such a charge was made up. Consequently the proportion of the charge covering supply could not be decided.