RAETIHI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 125, 30 May 1932, Page 11

RAETIHI

ELECTRICITY CHARGES. An adjourned meeting of tho Borough Council was held on Thursday night when there were present: The Mavor, Mr. W. Harris. Crs. T. S. Fagg, J. H. Stanley, L. J. Vile, T. Shout, A. E. Willoughby, C. A. C. McDonald, the borough foreman, Mr. C. Davis, the electrical engineer, Mr. W. Journcoux and the town clerk, Mr. W. A. Bowick. An apology was received from Cr. Sandford and Cr. Ciochetto. The Mayor explained that the last meeting had been adjourned to permit of the electricity committee considering whether it was possible to reduce the charges. Cr. Willoughby moved that the electricity committee’s report be considered and this was agreed toThe committee recommended that the present rates for lighting be reduced. For the first 20 units per month the present price of Is gross and lOd nett wag recommended to be reduced to Is and Bd. The present price of lOd and 8d for the next 130 units per month were altered to Is 8d and the price for tho next 850 units was left at 7d and sd, and any in excess altered from 7d and 5d to 7d and 3d. The minimum was altered from 4s per month to 3s per month. Tho A rate for heating was altered from l|d and Id per unit for first 12 units per month to 3d and 2d, and in excess of that quantity from lid and Id to 3d and Id. The minimum charge per month was left at Is. The B rate was altered from lid and Id per unit for total consumption to 2d and Id and the minimum charge per month was left at Is. The water heating charge was left at £3 per annum for 600 watts and 10s for each additional 100 watts 10s.

The rates for power up to the extent of 1000 units were unaltered. The B rate was altered from 4d and 3d for the first 1000 units per month to 3d and 2d, and in excess of that number from 3d and 2d to 24d and lid. The minimum was not altered.

The Mayor said the resources of the electricity department would be strained to th uttermost to carry on at the reduced charges.

Cr Willoughby explained that the committee had carefully considered every item and could not reduce any further.

With regard to a special discount for relief workers as requested by a deputation the Mayor said the council could not under the regulations make one price to one section of consumers and another price to others. The committee did not have power to differentiate. Cr. Shout regretted that tho committee could not recommend a further reduction for the sake cf the relief workers. A man getting 25s a week Gould not pay for electric light and the council would suffer by numbers of these men being compelled to disconnect. He thought about 50 would have to give up using electricity and that would mean about £lBO less a year. Cr. Willoughby explained that the committee considered they were sailing close to danger point by making the reductions and had estimated that tho receipts would be £345 less than was allowed for in the year’s estimates. It was hoped there would not be any unforseen circumstances or mishaps calling for expenditure. After a thorough consideration and much discussion the import recommending the reduction was adopted and the necessary motions passed to bring the reduced scale into effect from Juno 1. SNOW AND FROST. Snow started falling on Wednesday throughout the district. Tuesday night being very cold. On Thursday morning about four inches of snow was reported in places. The Raetihi Borough Council electricity department had a busy time on Wednesday night, especially from about 5 p.m. till after 9 o’clock. The snow hung on the wires as there was practically no wind. Some of the men were protecting the plant nearly all night and saved hundreds of pounds of damage A heavy frost set in and the snow had a coating of ice- It lay on the ground on Thursday and another severe frost was experienced that night. About a dozen water taps hurst on Wednesday night and Thursday. A telegraph pole was broken on the Oha-kune-Raetihi road line. Some wires were brought in contract between Raetihi and Pipiriki. On Wednesday a slip came down on the main road at Ruatiti, blocking the passage for vehicles. Cr. Bettjeman. who had been attending the meeting of the. Waimarino County Council at Raetihi, was proceeding to his home at Manganurua when he found the way blocked. Another settler, who had been in to the same meeting, was a short distance ahead and he had passed the place where the slip came down but was too far ahead for Mr. Bettjeman to attract his attention. Mr. Bettjeman had to return to Raetihi and immediately informed the county engineer, who, on Thursday morning, dispatched a gang of workmen to clear the debris. WAIMARINO COUNTY COUNCIL. Cr. C. H. Ball was unanimously elected chairman of the Waimarino

County Council at the statutory meeting, which was attended by Crs. C. H. Ball, H. A. Wright, A. B. Harris, F. Bettjeman, C. L. Duigan, D. J. Berry, the county engineer, Mr. H. L. Hogg, and t he county clerk Mr. A. Mabbott. Cr. Ball thanked the councillors for re-electing him chairman. He would endeavour to do his best for the county and act impartially in every matter brought before the council. The chairman extended a cordial welcome to the new councillors, Crs. Bettjeman and Duigau. He congratulated Cr Berry on his re-election and welcomed back Cr. Hanis. He was sure they would all do their best for the country. The retiring councillors, who had done their best for the ratepayers, had the satisfaction of knowing that their places had been taken by good men. A deputation from Ruatiti waited on the council. Mr. F. Solly, as spokesman, apologised for Coming to the statutory meeting and making requests before the new council got into its stride. They asked that some improvement be made to the bottom end of the Ruatiti Road. The settlers in the special rating area asked that some metal be nut on the road before winter set in. They asked that if possible the unemployed lie given work on the road and that some bad corners be removed at the deviation. Messrs. West, Barnett, and Nicholson also spoke. The chairman, in reply, stated that a contract on the road was not yet completed. With regard to the unemployed the cos! of transport was too great for the riding to bear. With regard to bridge, Work mentioned by a member the deputation the Public 1 Works Department had the matter in hand and ho believed the timber had been ordered. The dangerous corners were down on the list of suitable work for the unemployed as soon as possible but owing to the reduced allocations meaning few hours a week the progress was slow. The deputation thanked the council and withdrew with regard to tho state of the road and the chairman assured him he had the sympathy of all the members with regard to the financial position of that, riding. The chairman wag elected tho representative. of the counci; on the District j Highways Conniri).