POWER GIVEN AWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1924, Page 4

POWER GIVEN AWAY.

GIFT TO BOARD CHAIRMAN.

ACT MAKES IT ILLEGAL. Y. MEMBERS OPEN TO FINES. By Telegraph.—'Press Association. Ashburton, Last Night. The decision of the Ashburton Electric Power Board to supply the chairman (Mr. F. W. Watt) with free power in addition to a remuneration of £2OO per year, may have serious consequences. The Electric Power Boards Act of 1918 seems clear on the point that members making the decision and the chairman himself have Tendered themselves liable to disqualification from holding office, as well as to fines of £5O each. It is understood the matter has come under the notice of the Public Works Department; and that its Under-Secre-tary has written to the board inquiring if the decision is as stated. If such is the case, he points out that the provisions made in the Act are applicable to such case. Moreover, he emphasises that it is the duty of the hoard to sell power, not to give it away, and that the chairman’s remuneration has been specifically limited to £2OO a year by the Minister fdr Public Works. The portions of the Act cited are section 15 clause (1) and sub-clause (g).