All’s Well With Power Board Finances

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 43, 20 February 1937, Page 2

All’s Well With Power Board Finances

(Special to “Times”). HASTINGS, Feb. 19. At the conclusion of the ordinary business of the Central H.B. Power Board this morning, Mr; W. A. Cham- , bors said: “Mr. Chairman, I notice a reference in the Press to certain state- | meats made in the Lower Court, and also tho Supreme Court, regarding the practices of local-body officers in the handling of local-body funds, and—»—” The chairman (Mr. A. C. Russell): Mr. Chambers, I think this is quite ! irrelevant. j Mr. Chambers: I think it is relevant. I am asked to sign cheques here, and I would like an assurance that it is not tho practice here for officers j Mr. W. H. Rathbone (jumping to his feet): I take it that this is directed at rne personally. | Mr. Chambers: No. I Mr. Rathbone: If it is not directed at me personally, I have nothing to say. If it is, I have a lot to say. Mr. Chambers: No, it is not directed at you personally, except that you made certain statemeuts in Court, and it is directed at you personally to that extent. Mr. Rathbone: You just said that it wasn’t ■ Mr. R. A. Fraser: I don’t think this is the time to discuss this generally. If Mr. Chambers is assured that these practices do not go on here, that is all that is necessary. The chairman: There are times when members of tho staff have been going away on holiday and have come to me and asked for permission to draw • Mr. Fraser: That is not the question. The chairman: I would rather you let the matter drop. I can assure you that everything is all right here. Mr. Chambers: Thanks. That is all I wanted to know. Mr, A. C. Holms: Now that the chairman has answered the question, Mr. Rathbone can speak to Mr. Chambers, if he wants to. Mr. Rathbone: I am not letting it drop. My remarks in the Court were made in a general way, and no local bodies were mentioned in any shape or iiorca. I huvo nothing to retract,