SUPPLY OF POWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19800, 22 November 1927, Page 13

SUPPLY OF POWER.

OPERATIONS OF BOARDS. . THE LEVYING OF RATES. AMENDING BILL IN HOUSE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Monday Several alterations in the law designed to facilitate the operations of electricpower boards and to meet cases of hardship of ratepayers and other users of power are proposed in the Electric-Power Boards Amendment Bill, which was read a first time in the House to-night. The Minister of Public Works, Hon. K. S. Williams, said all the clauses except three had been approved by the executive of the Power Boards' Association, and the others had been proposed since the executive last met. The boards are to be given power to alter or add to their outer areas in the same manner as they may alter their ratable districts. The existing law with regard to the disqualification of members of boards is to be eased so as to bring the boards on to practically the same footing as county councils. An important clause so far as the rating powers of the boards are concerned is designed to enable the boards to levy rates upon a graduated scale according to the degree of benefit which they consider the various parts of their districts have received as a result of their operations. Provision is made in the bill to give ratepayers ample warning of the proposals and for the lodging of appeals. The right which the boards now enjoy of levying what is known as the availability rate on properties within ten chains of the boundaries of the mains is to be taken away .in cases where persons have provided themselves with a supply of electric power from a private source. Hitherto such persons, although liable for the rate, have been entitled to take out the money paid in power. The position of the smaller boards who find it difficult to comply with the requirements of the Local Government Loans Board to provide sinking funds for their loans is met by a clause which provides that under certain conditions to be approved the establishment of the sinking fund on special loans may be suspended for a period not exceeding seven years. The consent of the Local Government Loans Board to the suspension of the sinking fund will have to be obtained in all cases. Land owners whose properties are crossed by power lines are considered in another clause, which provides that damages may be claimed against the boards for damage done to any of their property, and not merely to their land, as is now the case. If the bill passes this provision is to be retrospective to January 1 last. Other clauses in the bill suggest that power boards may establish fire and accident insurance funds. The boards are 'also to be compelled to create depreciation funds in respect of their undertakings, and authority is also to be given to establish reserve funds from the revenue. The reserve fund is to be used for such extensions and permanent improvements as a board may think fit.