THAMES VALLEY POWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20969, 4 September 1931, Page 11

THAMES VALLEY POWER.

CHARGES FOR SUPPLY. THE QUESTION OF DISCOUNTS. , [fbom our own correspondent. } TE AROHA, Thursday. The Thames Valley Power Board, at its last meeting, received a letter from the Department of Industries and Commerce seeking information as to the extent to which the reductions in salaries and wages had been passed on to the public. The manager was instructed \to reply giving the reduced rates for power and also pointing out that while the Public Works Department had made a cut in wages and salaries it had made no reductions in charges for power. The Morrinsville Farmers' TJnion wrote expressing appreciation of the reductions made in power charges and supporting the suggestion that a 10 per cent, discount be allowed on accounts paid within 14 days of the meter reading and 5 per cent, if paid within the next 14 days. The manager, Mr. R. Sprague, in a written statement, said he was strongly opposed to any change in the present system and would prefer a straight-out 15 x per cent, discount. The manager's suggestion was adopted. The Walton branch of the Farmers' Union wrote urging that a further reduction be made in power charges and' that no user of power be deprived of supply without the board's fullest investigation. The chairman, Mr. J. Price, said that ' already the board gave its consumers every consideration in that direction. The Ohinemuri County Council wrote asking that a corresponding reduction be made for street lighting as in other departments. The manager said that power for that purpose was already supplied at a cost comparing most favourably with other centres. It was decided to make no farther reduction this year.