ELECTRICITY FIGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9572, 25 July 1923, Page 7

ELECTRICITY FIGHT.

GOVERNMENT AND CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. SURPRISING OFFER FROM MINISTER. CHRISTCHURCH, July ‘M. City Councillors were taken by surprise last night, when a letter from the Minister of Works was read, staling that if the Council was prepared to forego the remaining eighteen months’ electricity contract, which expires on March 81, 1925, the Department is prepared to enter into a fresh contract for ten years at a discount of 10 per cent off the standard rates. . • The chairman of the electricity cornmitteo said that the Department's offer was somewhere about 60 per cent, increase on the present rates, and for the next eighteen months the cost would bo £83,000 extra for electricity over and above tlu: present rate. Tin: Mayor said it was rather surprising at this late stage, after the Council had investigated the Wairnakariri scheme, that the Government should offer ten years’ contract in consideration of the Council foregoing the present contract. The report on the Waimakariri scheme would he available in a few days. Councillor Howard, 51. R.: “We will have to fight on the iloor of the House.” The Mayor: The time has come when all the city members must light th(' battle on the floor of the House. The Council decided to discuss the matter at a special meeting next Monday.—P.A.