ELECTRICAL SUPPLY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 199, 8 August 1923, Page 3

ELECTRICAL SUPPLY.

POWER BOARD AND LOCAL BODIES AN IMPORTANT JUDGMENT. I Wellington, Aug. 7. ' An important decision was delivered by Mr Justice Chapman in the Supreme Court on a question of law concerning local bodies. The plaintiff was the Borough of Wanganui and the defendants the Gonville Town Board, Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board and the Attorney-General. A local Act of 1903 empowered the Wan- ( ganui Borough Council to supply gas and electricity for lighting and domes-, tie purposes within certain geographical limits, which included the town district of Gonville, a section adding that ( it should not be lawful for any other person or company other than the borough to supply gas or electricity without the consent of the Council. In 1912 a deed of agreement was entered into between the bodies concerned, a condition being that the borough should supply the Board with electricity Und gas for 21 years. The Wanganui Power Board was constituted in 1921 and although the Act allowed the new body to purchase and construct electric works, and supply electric energy in hulk, it made no reference to electric lighting.

His’Honour did not think the deed could not have any restriction. The Town Board and the inhabitants were freed to purchase electric energy and he could not conceive that any question should arise as to how they might use it. No separate costs were allowed the Town Board, while the Power Board was allowed £36 13s, and the AttorneyGeneral was permitted his fee.