Took Electrical Profits To Ease Rate Burden

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 10

Took Electrical Profits To Ease Rate Burden

HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL’S POLICY. HAMILTON, Feb. 13. A lettor dealing with charges for electricity in Hamilton has been forwarded to tho Alinistcr of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple. Tho letter, which was sent on behalf of a business men’s committee, was accompanied by a copy of tho latest balance-sheets and statement of accounts issued by the Borough Council, and said: "For the year ended Alarch 31, 3936, tho Borough Council purchased from your department current costing £13,042 9s Id. They sold it to electricity eon sumers for £39,727 38s 9d, making a gross profit of £26,685 9s Bd. J,ast year they carried forward a net profit of £12,043 13s Id, after taking from the funds nearly £13,000. "You will notico that £12,664 14s Od has been taken this year again for tho relief of rates, aud for kerbing and channelling, special works and street lighting. This is most unfair, as it means that tho 4000-odd consumers ol electricity, out of a population of 16,000 people, arc paying for everything, while the other fellow gets off scot-free. "The charges for electricity in Hamilton are highor than in any other town in New Zealand. . • Your kindly assi aneo in removing the load from tho electricity users' shoulders by compel! iug tho Hamilton Borough Council to 1 reduce its charges to the consumers will bo keenly appreciated."