DECIDED BY LOT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 9263, 8 April 1918, Page 5

DECIDED BY LOT.

HOSPITAL BOARD'S .CHAIRMAN.

MR C. REID CHOSEN. At the Hospital Board meeting today it was mutually agreed that the election of a chairman Should take place at noon, and in the event oi' ,a tie the ehairmiui should be elected by lot.

Mr W. .J. Dickie, M.P., said members wore familiar with what took place in •November, when ho was elected chairman. The opinion from the Crown Law Office showed that Mr Friedlamkr ivas still entitled to the chair, and he (Mr Dickie) promptly left tho chair. ; He wished to state that he had no in- j •toiition of allowing himself to be nonii"ttated on this occasion, neither was he going to entdr into any controversy regarding Mr Fricdlander's nationality. llis opinions were the same as «pressed |on a previous occasion. Ho fcfcen nro■posed Mr C. R-oid for the office of chairman. Mr C. W. Nicoll seconded Mr Dickie's proposal. Mr H. .1. Harrison proposed that Mr Fricdlander be elected. Mr Harrison's amendment was seconded by Mr J. Cairns, who said it i gave him great_pleasure to support Mr ; Friedlander. He had nothing'against Mr Reid, who would make ah ideal j'L-hairman. At the same time, he had a | great deal of time for Mr ■Friedlamlrr,'' | who had conducted the business of the ; hospital in a way that would make' it difficult to cot anyone to tako his place. Mr Friedlander thanked Messrs Harrison and Cairns for nominating him. He stated that he had occupied tho chair for eight yeans,: with the "exception of the time he went Home. AVith the permission of his nominators, he .would like to withdraw from tho contest, and in his place to nominate Mr F. Watt."" This would help to remove any feelings against him. He did not desire to fill the position, although he had done his best for the institution. He felt now that it would be best to make room for a young man, as he could not always expect to remain in office. He then moved that Mr Watt be appointed chairman.

Mr H. Harrison said Mr Friedlamler had done so well in the past that it ■would be in the interests of the hospital for him to remain in the chair. .Messrs Cairns .and -Harrison being ■ agreeable, Mr Watt was then nominated, the nomination being seconded, by Mr Harrison. A. vote was then taken,, Mr Reid being supported by Messrs Dickie, Doherty, and Nieoll, and Mr Watt by Messrs Cairns, Harrison, and Friedlander.

Neither'of the candidates voted, and the voting being equal, the two names were put in a hat, and on Mr Reid's being drawn he was declared elected.

Mr Friedlander vacated the chair, and Mr Reid, on occupation, thanked the members who had supported him. Ho stated that he would much ratherhave occupied the chair as a result of tho majority of votes. On'this occasion members had their minds made up, and ho was elected by lot. It was a position he had never occupied before, and ho hoped, by his conduct and tho support of members, that their efforts would lie directed in th? best interests'! of the hospital.: He considered it was tho duty of everyone to aspire to an office of this kind. He wished to state that his public life had been given ungrudgingly, and he had never taken -a penny from any- public body bo had be«n connected with. Mr Watt congratulated Mr Reid on his election, and said he felt sure Mr Keid would carry out the duties in an p-flicient manner to the best interests of the board, and so long as he did that ho could count on his (Mr Watt's) support. After others had congratulated Mr Reid, the ordinary business was procooded with.