GAS BOARD CHAIRMAN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 17

GAS BOARD CHAIRMAN

Mr. Lodder Re-elected Whether the present chairman, Mr. W. G. Lodder, should be elected for the fitteenth year or whether the office should go round was debated at last evening s meeting of the Petone <in<l Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board, when Mr. Lodder was re-elected to the office. Mr. R. M. Russell proposed that Mr. C. J. Ashton be chairman, but this was not seconded. , Mr. V. E. Jacobson moved Mr. Loader's nomination, this being seconded bj Mr. J. Cumming. Mr. E. T. E. Hogg supported Mr. Loader's renomiuatlon, remarking that if the chairmanship had to go round his nomination should come up, since he was the senior member. "I know of other bodies where the rotation of chairmen has its disadvantages, observed Mr. Jacobson. • Mr. Russell said he thought it would tie courteous of Mr. Lodder to give w’ay at the first meeting of the present board. There had been disagreement on the question of chairman, but the members had given way. Mr. Lodder should reciprocate this year. . Mr. D. TV. Campbell claimed that since he* had been on the board he had been kept in a definite position. It had been said that he would never be chairman. His connection with the board was drawing to a close. It: had been said that he was there to serve other interests, but it was not so. He had always acted above board and had never served vested interests. ’He would refrain from voting. "I will support Mr. Lodder’s nomination as chairman,” said Mr. J. Cumming. ••I have no fault to find with him as chairman.” , , r „ Mr. Ashton said he. thought that, the office should go round, as did the chairmanship of the power board and the river board. "Wo seem to be the only body where the chairman is a permanent institution,” he declared. . •‘I will leave it to the meeting, said .Mr. ladder. "If they want me, I will net. If they do not, I’ll take a back seat. I have do intention of withdrawing. “As my nomination is the only one seconded; I shall put the motion,’ said Mr. Lodder. Messrs. Cumming, Hogg and Jacobson voted for it. "■Well, gentlemen, you will have to suffer me for another year,” said Mr. Lodder. , , . Mr. Ashton asked that his vote should be recorded against the motion. , Mr Ashton was elected deputy-chair-mau and Mr. E. T. E. Hogg was added to the accounts committee.