POWER SUPPLY DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22349, 21 February 1936, Page 15

POWER SUPPLY DISPUTE

PALMERSTON DEADLOCK i CONFERENCE TO BE HELD [bt telegraph—ow.v correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Thursday Following the failure of the conference last week between the Palmerston North City Council and the Mana-watu-Oroua Power Board to come to an agreement regarding the rate of payment for the supply of electric power ,to the city, a deputation from the City Council waited on the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. It. Semple, at Wellington yesterday. The matter has been the subject of dispute for a considerable period and actually a Court case to decide the issue was to have been heard at the session of the Supreme Court which concluded here last week, but at the request of Mr. Semple a last-minute effort was made to compose the differences between the two bodies. At present the city is receiving its electrical supply under the terms of an injunction which was granted when the old contract expired and the power board ceased supplying the city. The Mayor. Mr. A. E. Mansford. stated to-day that it was now probable that a general conference would be held to discuss the position, as it applies not only to other supply authorities and power boards, but also to the Public Works Department. This course was considered desirable by the Minister, as other supply authorities would shortly be affected by the expiration of contracts. The conference is to he convened at the earliest possible date.