PROTEST VOICED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 265, 8 October 1940, Page 5

PROTEST VOICED

ELECTRICITY CHARGES. CHAMBER OF - COMMERCE, Charges made by the ManawatuOroua Rower Board for electricity supplied to Feilding were criticised at a meeting of the Feilding Chamber of Commerce, last evening. It was the general opinion that bedding should receive a reduction in the rates charged. “My hot-water service is very unsatisfactory,” said the president (Mr A. C. Buist) i.n referring to a letter on' the subject irom Mr A. J. Geary. Mr H. Chappell said he considered the charge for electric heating in Feilding was exorbitant. Mr G. Fitzpatrick said that when the service was inaugurated the people were told that it would be a continuous one, but since then, on account of the peak load, the service had been reduced to an intermittent one. He had discussed the matter with Mr J. Boyce, chairman of the board, who was keen to know all about the complaints and to give help. The electricity for the hot-water service was cut off on an average 19 hours a month, Mr Fitzpatrick added. There was also the question of electricity charges generally, and he suggested that the Power Board should give the residents a 750-watt element at the rate of 9s a month, and he felt that would not affect the peak load.

Mr P. G. Guy, Feilding's representative on tho board, assured the meeting that the power was cut off only during the peak period, which was usually at meal times. He considered that the board was anxious to build up a big reserve fund for building purposes and was not utilising the big profit made in giving reduced charges, or, rather, la. continuous service. The power was not cut off at .night, as some people were under the impression it was.

Mr Tate said that the charges were the main cause of complaint and he would like to know how the charges made by the Manawfltu-Oroua Board compared with those in other towns. CHARGES COMPARED.

Mr Guy quoted figures showing charges made elsewhere, as follow: Cambridge, first 100 units at 3d, up to 900 lid, balance Id. Central Waikato, first 80 units' at ljd. 80 at Id, balance at jd, less 5 per cent. Damnevirke, first 80 units at 3d, 120 at 2d, balanco at ljd. Hutt, first 80 units at 3d, 120 at 2d, 120 at lid, balance at Id, Jess 8 1-3 per cont. Poverty Bay, first 400 units at 2d, balance lid. youth Taranaki, first 400 units at 2jd, balance at lid. Taranaki, first 240 units at 3d, balance at Id. Tararua, first 80 units at 3d, 120 at 2d, balance at lid. Taura.nga, first 06 units at 3d, 60 at 2id, balance at ljd. Wairarapa, 2d per unit, reducing to |d. Wanganui, first SO units at 3d, 120 at 2d. 400 at lid, balance at Id. The Manawatu-Oroua Board’s charges were first 100 units at 3d, next 100 at 2Jd and the balance at 1-Rl.

Mr Guy added that the Feilding charges were much higher than Palmerston North’s, and in fact were the highest in New Zealand. The Mana-watu-Oroua Board had invested £II,OOO in the past two .years out of profits, whereas that money should have been returned to the consumers by way of reduced charges. If thoro had been a reduction in the charges industries would have been encouraged. He felt that Feilding was entitled to a reduction, and as the half-yearly meeting of the board was to bo held shortly, he desired' to ascertain the views of tho chamber. Mr T. L. Seddon said he would like to know whether a uniform rate could be struck over the whole area.

It was explained by Mr Guy that Palmerston North had a license to buy and sell electricity before the Mana-watu-Oroua Board was formed. Feilding had a similar license, but had relinquished it in favour of adopting the new schem-e of distribution. Palmerston North, on the other hand, had retained its license. Mr V. E. Smith said that in the year Feilding gave up its license it had a profit of £I4OO, and in other years also profits had been made. He

was of the opinion that. Feilding had given its plant away, but, unfortunately. he had not been supported by his colleagues on the council at that time. He had fought the battle singlehanded.

Mr Seddon said he was of the opinion that despite the fact that Palmerston North had a license from the Public ’Works Department the question should be possible of solution. There ! should bo a uniform rate over the whole of the board’s area. On the motion of Mr H. S. Tate, seconded by. Mr Seddon, it was decided to write to the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board, pointing out that the consumers in Feilding wore dissatisfied, and urging that the charges for heating. lighting, etc., be reduced. The fact that the board had substantial reserves and was in a position to return part of its profits to the consumers was mentioned.