ELECTRIC LIGHT SERVICE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 618, 12 November 1913, Page 5

ELECTRIC LIGHT SERVICE.

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS. EXTENSION OF LINES. The consumers of electric light in the borough have apparently not yet become accustomed to the necessity of making prompt payment of the electric light accounts. The matter was the subjeet of a re commendation by the Electric Light Committee to the Council meeting on Monday night in the following terms: —'"That the conditions previously laid down by the Borough Council with regard to the payment of accounts for current, be strictly adhered to, and that all defaulters at one month from date of issuing accounts be disconnected forthwith, and further that the electrical engineer be authorised to carry this resolution into effect in all cases without any further reference to the Council."

The Mayor said it should be recognised by the consumers that the accounts should be paid within the given time or the current would be cut off. This was essential to the proper working of the business. Other public facilities such as telephones and postal boxes were discontinued when de fault wa3 made, and the electric light was in exactly the same position. The recommendation was adopted. In connection with the application for the extension of the servica to the Bonny Glen estate, a report was received from the electrical engineer giving the estimate of the cost as £l2O. The engineer said if the whole of the six bouses took the light the revenue to the Council would be about £35 a year. This meant a shortage of at least £2O a year compared with what should be received in order to make it a payable extension. Cr Somerville said he would like to see the extension made if possible. Perhaps a modified proposal would meet the case. Cr Walsh aaid there was a big difference in the present estimate from the original estimate of the cost. They had to safeguard the Council so that no loss was made. The Mayor said they had to consider the matter from a purely business standpoint. If they entertained the present application they could not in equity refuse others which might be unprofitable and they would get into a bad position. If some arrangement with the owners could be come to in the shape of a guarantee it might be possible to undertake the extension. The matter was referred back to the comittee to report to next Council meeting.