PRICE of ELECTRICITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18460, 25 July 1923, Page 8

PRICE of ELECTRICITY.

OFFER BY GOVERNMENT. CHRISTCHUKCH CITY COUNCIL. [ST. TELEOEAJH.-— ASSOCIATION'.] CBBISTGiBncrBCH. Tuesday. Members of the City Council were taken by < surprise > last "night/when a letter from , the Ministerj; for Public Works ; was >\ read stating : that if the council were prepared to forego the remaining '>■ eighteen months of' the electricity contract, which- expires on March 31, 1925, the department was prepared to' enter* into, a fresh contract for ten years at a discount of jlO per cent, off !standard rates. ■" • ■•..."" ■■..,- The chairman of Electricity . Committee said ;: that the departments offer represented « about /sixty/ per cent, increase on the present rates, , and for' the next 18 months the cost would be £33,000 extra for electricity over? and above the present. rate. " • The Mayor said that.it was rather surrising at this late staged after: the council ad investigated the Waimakariri scheme, that the Government should offer Vac ten years' contract in consideration of /the council; foregoing ; the i present contract. The report on the ';Waimakariri scheme would be available in /a/ few days. ';; : ? Councillor E. Howard, '■■. M P.: /■ We/will have to fight on the floor 'of the House. The Mayor:/ The time ; has come when all city members must fight the battle :on the floor of the House. ' -' '. '.". / , The council decided :■ to ■' discuss -the matter at a 1 special meeting next Monday.