POWER BOARD CHAIRMAN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 November 1924, Page 8

POWER BOARD CHAIRMAN

FREE HOUSE LIGHTING. - iJr. F. W. Watt, chairman of the Ashburton Electric Power Board,,, has resigfied the office . and his membership of the board, states a Press Association message. Mr. Watt stated that the immediate Cause of. his resignation related to the decision of the board to supply him with a free power service for his house during his period of chairmanship. He pointed out _ that though the decision was rescinded oh the matter being brought under the notice of the board, and that the resolution . only, actually applied to one month's current which wtas paid by him 24 days late, the Audit Department held that his disquahfioation under suh-efeetions M (f) and 15 of the Electric Power Boards Act-, 1918, had taken effect. Cb-inse-qUently it was imossible for him to officiate further iff the capacity of memjber until such time as he oan be and is re-elected. Sub-section 7of section 14, to which the Audit Office refers, provides that a person is incapable from being elected or awnointed a member of a power board if h© holds any office or place of profit under, or in the gift of the hoard, and suib-seation (g), setetion 15, provides that the office of a- member shall become vacant if he holds atfy office or place under, or in the gift of the board.