ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 5

ASHBURTON.

BAND CONCERT.

The first of a series of open-air concerts was given by the First Canterbury Mounted Rifles Band last evening. The following programme was played:—March, '' Mephistopheles selection, "Roberto Diavolo"; song hit, "What'll I Do?"; hymn, "Sandon"; hornet solo, "Blackdyke"; valse, "Thoughts"; march, "Knight Errant." Power Board.

A special meeting of the Ashburton Power Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs A. McFarlane, W. H. Bundle, H. Morris, A. J. Magson, W. G. Gallagher, A. Horsey, S. Smith, J. Cow, W. T. Lill.

The meeting was held for the purpose of considering the resignation of Mr F. W. Watt as chairman and treasurer, through ..a technical breach of the Board's financial powers through the granting of free current. The Audit Department held that this disqualified him. Mr Watt's remuneration as chairman was £2OO a year, and the auditor held that no other remuneration could be granted him. When the resolution wap passed granting Mr Watt free current, Mr Watt objected, and as soon as attention was drawn to the. matter Mr Watt paid the usual charges for current supplied, and the Board rescinded the resolution.

Mr Watt, who was present by invitation, said he had also been disqualified as a member of -the Hospital Board through being a trustee in an estate which was doing business with the Hospital Board. He had resigned that trusteeship and had since been re-elected a member of the Hospital Board.

Mr Cow asked the secretary whether he had taken legal opinion as to Mr Watt's position in regard to the length of the disqualification. • The secretary replied that he had not done so.

Mr Cow said the secretary should have obtained legal opinion as to Mr Watt'B position to guide the Board. At the present time the Board did not know the true position.

Mr Watt said he ' had received a letter from the auditor stating that •he was disqualified as chairman, and as a member of the Board, but he (Mr Watt) was of opinion that it was the Board's duty to ascertain the exact position. He at present was taking no part whatever in the Board's work.

Mr Cow, in moving that the resignation of Mr Watt be accepted with deep regret, and that the most valuable services he had' rendered be recorded in the jpinutes, said he regarded it as a calamity to-the Board that Mr Watt should be disqualified, and 'that he had resigned. Mr Smith, in seconding the motion, said he did so with' the deepest regret. Other members also expressed their regret, and said the Audit Department should be prevailed upon to allow Mr Watt to be re-elected. ,

Mr Cow was unanimously elected chairman and treasurer in Mr-Watt's place. Mr' Cow thanked the members for the honour which ■ had been conferred upon him, but he wished it to be clearly understood that he accepted the position .only until such time as Mr Watt was re-elected. He could not possibly do the work. Mr Watt had done as he had not the ability nor the time, but he would do his very best in the interests of the Board. They should" immediately take • steps to ascertain the legal position as regards Mr Watt, and that -if necessary representations.'Should be. made to_ the Government to 'have this disqualification as it was not only a calamity, to the Board-but to the general public. A special committee was set up for the purpose of taking all steps possible to' have Mr Watt reinstated. Public Bequests. Under the will of the late Mrs Ellen Ada Wallace, of Ashburton, widow, who died this week, and of.whose .will, the Public-Trustee is<;the executor and trustee, the following public bequests are made: —(1) The sum of £SO- to the . Methodist Orphanage, Papanui. (2) The sum of £l5O to the building fund of the - Methodist Church, at Ashburton. (3) The sum of £SO. to ,the No-License Committ.ee of the Ashtiurton District. Athletic Meeting. The first of a series of evening meetings under the auspices of the Ashburton Amateur Cycling and Athletic Club was held on the oval last evening in the presence of a number of enthusiastic supporters. 100 Yards Handicap.—First heat: M. Farrell (scr.) 1, E. Easterbrook (syds) 2 L MUson 3. Second heat: C. CampLi <»r.) 1. J- Bobffltard (2jd«) 2, E. Smith 3. Final: C. Campbell 1, E. Smith 2, L. Milsom 3. Inches separated the first and second men, while the third was about one yard away. _ 300 Yards Handicap: G. H. Nicoll (9yds) 1, C. Campbell (scr) 2, J. Robilliard 3. Won by -two' yards One Mile Handicap: L. Donaldson (100 yds) 1, R. Bosswell (110 yds) 2, S. Gudsell (80yds) 3. Donaldson won by five yards from Bosswell, Gudsell being 10 yards away. ~ Schoolboys' 100 Yards Handicap: M. Opie (Borough) 1, Eoy Burton (Allenton) 2, T. Phaup (Allenton) 3. Inter-club Belay Race: No. 1 team, 95vds (Gudsell, Donaldson, Peters, Musoin) 1, No. 2 team (Olds, EasterXk/ ClArk, Tresider) 2. Very little ground was gained from Gudsell by Olds while Donaldson lost about 10 yards to Easterbrook. Clark made up the remainder of the handicap, but in the final Milsom won by a few inches from Tresider. Mail Notices. Mails close to-day:— For Northern Porta, at 5.15 p.m.; late fee letters 5.30 p.m., guard's van 6 ,p.m. The Christmas despatch of mai.s for Great Britain Ireland and North America will dole at Ashburton on November 22nd. 1 Mails ior Earatomga 'and Tahiti {per Ngakuta at Auckland), will close at Ashburton on Friday, November-14th, at 2.45 p.m.