AUDIT DEPARTMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 March 1926, Page 10

AUDIT DEPARTMENT.

AN ASHBURTON DISPUTE. WATT CONTROVERSY REVIVED. Following the recent controversy between the Audit Department and the Dannevirke Power Hoard, in which the Department unsuccessfully endeavoured to hold two members disqualified owing to being trustees for a deceased shareholder in a company doing business with the board, the Ashburton. Electric Power Boards’ Association, to ascertain the legal position on the following matters. Air Martin was asked who!her the gift’of free current made by. the Power Board in 1924 disqualified Air F. AV. Watt as a member of tho board. Air Alartin’s answer was that it did not disqualify. Air AVatt was at the same time held by the Audit Department to be disqualified as a member of the Hospital Board owing to being trustee for a deceased shareholder in a company doing business with the Hospital Board. The supposed disqualification also applied to membership of the Power Board, as the latter also did business 'with tho same firm. Air Alartin was asked whether, following the recent ruling regarding tho Dannevirke Power Board, Air Watt was lightfully held disqualified as a member of the Hospital Board and of the Power Board. Air Alartin’s answer is that All- AVatt was not disqualified. Power Board circles state that tho Audit Department having admitted, in similar circumstances, that members of tho Dannevirke Electric Power Board arc not legally disqualified, it follows that the Department was wrong in holding that Air AVatt was disqualified as a menvber of the Hospital Board or tho Power Board. HI ■ ■■■ jm.