POWER BOARD FINANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1931, Page 8

POWER BOARD FINANCE

STRATFORD EXTENSION AREA. AVAILABILITY RATE UNPOPULAR. PEOPLE FEEL THEY WERE MISLED.

Objection ; to the levelling by the Taranaki Power Board of the availability vote in the Stratford extension area on the grounds that the people had been misled was expressed by a deputation, of settlers that waited on the board yesterday. After explanations had been made by members of the board it was decided that figures relating to the cost of and revenue from the lines connected with the Stratford extension be investigated, and the position considered in relation to these figures. . . 1 The deputation consisted of Messrs E. Marfell, Kay,and Marfell jun. (2). Mr. Marfell said that previous to the loan poll meetings were held at which the. chairman was asked whether the area would be liable for anything more than their own charges. The impression gained was that they were not liable for other charges and they were very surprised to find that in 1928 a rate had been put on to them. His chief objection was that he felt they had been misled. It was .largely through the influence of Mr. Were, and himself that the loan poll had been carried and he felt sore that they were now being asked i pay a rate. Another point was that the board would not' undertake to reticulate unless the consumption was sufficient to pay. He felt that as it had not paid there must have been some mistake in the estimates, j

Mr. Kay said that there was no doubt that', they clearly understood that they would not be liable for any rate other than their own. He objected to the rate at the time it was levied. Had they thought they were going to be rated they-would not have voted for the loan. A CORRECT IMPRESSION. i . ■ The chairman said that there was no question that their) impression was correct. He said they were told that they would be liable for their own reticulation costs only and not for headworks cost. The reason for striking a rate was that there was not sufficient revenue to meet ordinary charges. The outstanding charges for 1928-29 were £lB3 without allowing for the purchase of current and it could hardly be expected that the other ratepayers would pay for that. Last year the excess charges showed, a loss of £ll6, although the revenue had increased considerably. Including the amount of £194 collectable as rates, there was a surplus of £B, but after allowing for rates remitted there was still a deficit of £220. He thought the figures would .show that a rate was justified. The rates, less the amounts, remitted, had been paid by all ratepayers in the area except five.- The rate for the present year also was justified, but in view of* the economic position he was of the opinion that no rate should be struck next year. However, that was for the board to decide. But if the revenue did not increase it might become necessary to strike a rate later. Mr. Moss pointed out that the board had benefited to the extent of £290 for generating costs. He would not agree to the area obtaining its power for nothing. Mr. Marfell: We don’t want that.

REVENUE FROM ADJOINING AREAS

Continuing, Mr. Mosn said that there was revenue from adjoining areas that obtained powpr from the lines running through the Stratford extension. This should be taken into account and some .allowance made to the Stratford extension area. He thought that if this allowance w r as made they would find that the figures of the Stratford extension loan would about balance. . Mr. Marfell said he understood that they had been charged the full amount for new work for- lines supplying to boundary lines. The chairman said that there ■were 860 chains of-line, 540 being boundary lines and 320 in the area on both sides. He pointed out that the Stratford extension was not debited with the petition and canvassing costs, expense of public meetings, loan poll, transport, hire of plant, inspection or engineering fees. Mr. Moss said, he did not know or any legal power whereby they could grant relief, but had he known the position at the time rates were being struck he would not have favoured a rate in that area last year. The chairman said that all rates •truck up to the present could not be remitted. Nor had the deputation shown any reason why they should be remitted. , , . Mr. Moss said that he wanted to see the area treated equitably, and he suggested that the figures relating to the cost of and revenue from all the lines connected with the Stratford extension be investigated by the accountant and the position considered in relation to these figures. He said that as fair and reasonable men they should go into the question and do a fair thing. This was agreed to. Mr. Kay said they were quite prepared to stand a reasonable liability. ■KING’S THEATRE TALKIES. “HARMONY AT HOME." An entertaining glimpse into the home of an average American family of the middle class will be afforded those who visit the King’s Theatre to see and hear the all talking Fox Movietone production, “Harmony at Home,” which heads the prpgramme to-night. “Harmony at Home” is a screen talking version of the very successful stage play, “The Family Upstairs” which was written by Harry Delf; and in this Movietone version it is a delightful offering which will please every member in your family. There is no involved plot, there are no fictional episodes; it is‘all just what happens when the head of the house receives a promotion and an increase in salary and the family proceeds to go on a spending orgy.