KAMO’S POWER

Northern Advocate, 7 May 1930, Page 4

KAMO’S POWER

LOWER CHARGE POSSIBLE. In again, making representations to the Whangarei Borough Council on Monday night or a reduction in the cost of electricity, the clerk to the Kamo Town Board stated: “It is considered that the charge of Aid per unit for light and 2d per unit for power, which necessitates the board retailing at 9d per unit for light and 4d per unit for power, is exorbitant, and makes the lighting of homes by electricity in this district a luxury. If the council is prepared to consider a reduction may I suggest that an all round charge of 3d per unit be made. This would enable my board to make a considerable reduction to consumers and also relieve a very evident feeling of discontent which exists amongst the people of this district.” Or. Brake moved that the request be declined, with regret. It seemed that a proper business agreement had been entered into between the two local bodies, and Kamo appeared very satisfied at the time. All electrical estimates had since been based ou Kamo’s undertaking. Cr. Tibbits seconded.

Cr. Pickmere, chairman of the Electrical Committee, moved that the matter be referred to the committee for a report. It might be said that Kamo having made its bed should lie on it, but he regarded the borough as trustee for all the area compassed in its license, and thought the matter should be dealt ■with fairly. When the •original agreement -was made, Kamo did pot know too much about what they were dealing in, and the speaker thought it might be possible to supply electricity at a reasonable price, and still make a profit. The amendment was seconded by the Mayor. Cr. Holmes pointed out that conditions governing the supply of electricity were constantly changing, and that the cost to Kamo had already been reduced once. Cr. Tibbitts. “If it has been reduced once, what has Kamo to grumble about. We have shouldered the responsibility, ’ ’ In reply to a question by Cr. Bralnsby, it was stated that the poles to the Kamo boundary had been put in at the expense of the Kamo Town Board, not the borough.

Cr. Curtis favoured reference to the committee, and the amendment was carried.