Page 7 Advertisements Column 4

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 7 January 1930, Page 7

Th£t there is no authority for a local' authority to surcharge for delay in payment of gas or electricity accounts, was] the text of a judgment recently given by Mr Justice Ostler in regard to a test case involving the Nelson City Council. He saw no reason why the necessary power should not he given hy statute, but as the law stood it was not permissible. This finding appears to have a- particular interest to consumers of elect lie power in the Hutt Valley Hoard area, who (says the “livening Post”) are apt to- compare that board’s policy of imposing a 5 per cent, penalty for delayed payment with the Wellington City C'o-un oil's rafter more pleasing and probably equally effective policy of giving n discount for prompt payment. Several times questions as to'the loignlitv of making, a surcharge have been raised, even by members of, power boards adopting that system.