Laxton

smith says ex-Hydro
chair in conflict role

By Robert Gaister
News Reporter

IT’S doubtful the view from
John Laxton’s West
Vancouver waterfront home

offers any solace for the ex-
B.C. Hydro chair.

Vednesday’s report. outlining _ his
invohenent in a controversial Pakistan
power project turned out to be anything
but the vindication Laxton was hoping for.

Instead the
authored
B.C.
: ro chair Brian

w Smith, offers a
damning — indict-
ment of his actions.

“Mr.

was an

ae report,
current

Laxton
unsuitable
@ person to be Chair

of B.C. Hydro,”
stated the report.

“Mr. Lay
was either unwi
ing or unable to
recognize the dis-
tinctions betwee!
his persoral inter-
ests and those of the Crown corporation of
which he was the leader,” it continued.

The seeds for the present fiasco were
sown years ago as B.C. Hydro, under
Laxton’s tutelage, began to pursue involve-
ment in international power projects. The
work, funneled through a series of B.C.
Hydro subsidiaries, culminated with the
creation of International Power Corp.

WEST Vancouver
fawyer John
Laxton taking ihe
riydro heat.

rankles

See Flvdro page 3

Arso

By Anna Marie D’Angelo

News Reporter

THE older of two boys who started a
major fire last July at Park Royal Towers
was given a one-year probation term on
Wednesday.

The fire sent seven people to hospital.
“The consequences of vour actions proved te:

INSIDE
TOBAY’S

be destruc

NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

inside the outer limits

OUTER Limits zrtists Ceres, Neros, Mecka, Task and Theme show off the “iegal
graffiti” they created at the Lonsdsale FiecCentre’s teen centre wall. Legal grafiiti
wall space is rare to come by and these spray paini artists wish there was more
space available so they don't get tempted to cross the line between art and crime.

$100,000 Park Roya! Towers
blaze sent seven to hospital

tive. Tois difficult to relate such harm ta mere prank. That
appears to be what it was: a foolish, stupid prank,” said Judge
Reginald Grandison in West Vancouver provinctal court.

n Indy 3, 1996.4 1 smoke bomb was tossed on the bal:
cony of a fourth Hoor suite at. 935 Marine Dr. Phe resulting fire
evtemssch daumaved five snites and caused water and smoke

A French summer
jg school gets
new look

Sonata

cs pre

New livundai

gets stylish wn See ie

WEATHER

Satie day, Miccers

iiyh PPO haw 5 ¢

| Kayaker’s
ride ends
in tragedy

By lan Noble
News Reporter

| KAYAKERS and canoeists

| are being warned of dan-
gers lurking in rain- -swollen
rivers following North
Vancouver kayaker Morgan
Chang’s tragic death
Tuesday.

However, 4 25-vear kavaking expert said
he would kayak the upper section of the
: our where Chang, 3, and nwo bud-
dies were kayaking under the same flood
conditions.

“You can’t condemn the fellow tor pad-
dling a flooded river. That’s when it’s excit-
ing,” said 42-year-old Jerome Truran, who
has paddled the section under nermal river
conditions.

While mourning the death of Chang.
the Whitewater Kayaking Association of
British Columbia said paddling flooded
rivers is not recommended oy provincial or
national paddle-sports associations.

Said kavaking association president
Simon Shutter: “An incident such as this,
while tragic in its outcome, highlights the
need for all paddlers tc ensure they are ade-
quately prepared and are aware of the risks
involved when entering the water.”

According to North Vancouver police,

ks including Chang
and started down
vmour River from

One of the men “got off the river five
kilometres (three miles) downstream. The
other two continued on.
, i approximately 12
kilometres (7 ts) from the hatchery,
the nyo men tied to pull over and stop

Thang’s kavak overturned.
said Chang, an experienced
s swept down the river, initially

See Paddling page 4

damage to four other apartments plus the laundry area and hall.

According to Crown lawyer Dan Mulligan, firetig i
Kush suffered a severe electrical hock in the suite argeted by
the arsonists. Pwo orher West + fighters received minor
ele I shocks while rescuing Bush. A ‘fourth firefighter and
Iwo Towers residents were treated in hospital for smoke inhala-
tien, Ano resident as taken to hospital with chest pains.

Whe re smoke cleared, more than $100,000 werth of
property daritce Had occurred.

See Fire paar 4

North Shore
Fhis Week
wre guide

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