FREE ELECTRICITY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23278, 14 August 1945, Page 4

FREE ELECTRICITY

Present Consumers First Consideration Arising out of a report from the Omnibus and Electricity Committee, Cir. F. A. Hilton, at a meeting of the Timaru Borough Council last evening, said there were users of electricity in Timaru who could not get sufficient hot water for their needs. A suggestion at the last meeting of the Council to give free electricity to new industries in Timaru created a Gilbertian situation, continued Cr. Hilton, in that additional electricity to maintain a 24 hours’ service for present users was too dear to buy. but they had electricity to give away. Their first consideration should be for'present users, and the means to provide a 24 hours’ service should have first claim on their attention.

Under the terms of the agreement electricity for hot water services was supplied for 16 hours a day, said the chairman of the committee (Cr. W. L. Richards). The reason was that it was uneconomical to buy electricity during the peak period from 11 a.m. till noon. The suggestion of giving free electricity to new industries 'was in no way a breach of contract with present consumers.

The Mayor (Mr A. E. S. Hanan): What do you mean, buy more and give it away? Cr. E. J. Ellis: Who will be the deciding authority? The Mayor: The Council.

Cr. Ellis: It was suggested that the engineer and another be the authority. I meant to creep on to that committee somehow.

Cr. Richards: That was never suggested. Some persons have vivid imaginations.