RENT OF SUB-STATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 12

RENT OF SUB-STATION.

BOARD REFUSES TO PAY.

CRITICISM OF DEPARTMENT.

[BY r.'XKGK.U'H.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.} TE AI2OIIA, "Wednesday.

A decision to refuse to pay an account from the Public Works Department for rent of the Matamata sub-station was mado by the Thames Valley Power Board yesterday. Members expressed the opinion that the department had failed to honour frequent promises of improved service to the board by delivery of current through tho sub-station. The chairman, Mr. F. M. Strange, explained that the dopartment had requested payment of £93 10s for rent of tho substation as from October, whereas the department, through failure to expodile certain works, had prevented tho use of tho sub-station. In a letter dated April 24, 1929, the department promised improved conditions for September. In that month Morrinsville consumers had been assured that no further trouble would occur, and that power would be made available through tho Matamata substation. In October the board was told this would bo effected in a fortnight. In December it was told tho matter would bo finalised in a week. "This is the sort of answer we have been gotting from month to month." proceeded Mr. Strange. "On lop of this wo ai'o charged to-day with rent for a building wo have not been able to use." It was resolved to inform tho department that tho quality of its service was still below a loOg-promised standard, and to refuse to pay tho account, for rent of tho sub-station. A