WAIPUKURAU

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 230, 11 September 1934, Page 3

WAIPUKURAU

BUSINESSMEN MEET EARTHQUAKE BILL. From Our Own Correspondent. WAIPUKURAU, September 10. A meeting of the Waipukurau Chamber of Commerce was held this evening, Mr J. Huntly-Walker presiding over a small attendance. The Napier Chamber wrote asking lor support ol the Earthquake Protection Bill to be introduced by Mr W. E. Barnard, Al .P , with the object of making national provision against losses arising from earthquakes. The bill provides for a charge of 1/- per cent, on all fire insurance policies estimated to produce a sum exceeding £200,000 per annum.

After a short discussion it was decided to reply asking for further details of the b”ill, and whether non-in-surers would participate in the benefits to the same extent as the insurers.

A lengthy letter was received from the .Minister of Public Works in regard to the Chamber’s representations concerning the discrepancy for charges of bulk power supply between city and country bpards. In the text of the letter the Minister said: “It is true that there is some variation in charge dependent on the quantity of power used, but this is usual in almost any commercial business, and 1 think that your own local power board adopts tiie same principle.” The chairman stated that if the figures in the correspondence were correct, there must be a considerable amount ol power going somei>iere for nothing. Mr. A. C. Holms, quoting from a return [irepaied by the Central Hawke’s Bay Power Board, stated that the cost of power was .442 pence per unit and the average revenue 1.35 pence. Only 6 per cent, of the supply was used lor lighting purpose, yet that source provided 40 per cent, of the revenue. On the other hand 50 per cent, of the annua] supply was used for water-heating, which in turn provided 8J per cent, of the revenue. In recent years Lighting charges in Central Hawke's Bay had been reduced from 10 pence I . 8} pence for domestic purpose, ami from 10'pence to 7j pence in the business ai'ia.

Mr F. V G. Dunn said that the department was side-tracking the issue. The point raised by the Chamber wa s the difference in charges for bulk supply between city and country boards. It was decided to write pointing out that the Chamber protested against the discrimination in bulk supply charges, and urging that something be done whereby a flat fate would be brought into force.