The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1921-05-06
REDUCTION In
LIGHT CHARGE
COMING SOON
Directors of New Company
Take Charge and Are on
Record for Rates as Low as
May Be Made Possible.

Lower rates for consumers of cleo
tricity for lighting and for power in
Waiuku and Kahului are in sight and
may be expected in the near future.
The directors of the newly organized
Maui Electric Company at their first
meeting last Friday afternoon went on
record as unanimously favoring re-
ductions in rates to a figure which will
permit of the service the public has
right to expect and return a reason
able profit on the investment and as
in favor OF continuing reductions in
the future as circumstances may from
time to time permit.
Some reduction in rates for electric
current may be expected by July l,
at the latest and perhaps by June l,
according to the resolution that was
passed. 1t was decided to keep the
old rates in operation until July l,
win the proviso that the subject of
reductions should be further con-
sidered at a meeting of the directors
to be held at the end of May. 1t is
considered that a 80 TO 60 days trial
is necessary for the directors to de-
termine what reductions in the cost
of service to the public can be grant
ed. All were agreed that at the end
of the experimental period it would
be possible to announce lower rates.
Rehabilitation of the electric light
ing system of central Maui is not a
small task and the directors must
familiarize themselves with the af-
fairs of the new concern before TAX
ing important actions. AS yet they
are unfamiliar with the details of the
business and they felt it was not too
much to ask that they have the OPP
portunity to attain a degree familiar
ity, TO ascertain accurately the i'm
mediate needs of the plant and what
must be spent upon it before decid-
ing on new rates but at the same time
giving the public assurance of their
purpose to make cuts as speedily as
possible. Several matters which will
tend to reduce production costs are
under consideration by the officials
and may be determined within
month. The new company took the
property on May ! as of April and
this is the week of its operation.
j. G. Blair is to continue as man.
ager of the company and was author
lied to purchase new meters to meet
the demands of those who have been
waiting for them and for new users
who will now wire for service and
purchase of other much needed sup
plies was authorized. The meeting
was the first step towards the put
ting of the concern on business
basis wit hthe primary purpose of
giving Central Maui adequate service.
Lights for Streets
So far as the company is concerned
all is in readiness for street lighting.
Fixtures have been replaced and the
system tried out. 1t is now next move
for Chairman Kalama of the board of
supervisors.
At the last meeting of the board of
supervisors the chairman was author
lied to enter into a contract with the
new company for lighting of the
streets of Wailuku and Kahului at
terms no higher than those in opera
ton when the old company had the
lighting contract. The directors have
made an offer which meets with such
conditions and the county, as will in
dividual consumers, is to have the
benefit of such reductions as the new
company will make. 1t is proposed
HAT the county pay according to me-
ter and that there shall be no moon
light schedule" "