HARBOUR MATTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 172, 22 July 1910, Page 2

HARBOUR MATTERS.

THE SHIPOWNERS' DEPUTATION. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The deputation which waited upon the Minister for Marine this morning from the Shipowners' Ftederation ugred re Clause 41 that tbe conditons of leases on harbour reclamations be altered. IV was stated that shipowners required water frontages on which to carry on building and repairs, etc, and that it would be unjust to them to allow boards to resume leases without compensation for riparian rights. The Hon. J. A. Millar said this clause would be amended to this extent, viz.: Where harbour leases axe used for ordinary business, boards will not be called on to pay compensation for the loss of imaginary riparian rights, but exception will be made where real riparian rights are concerned, such as slips for ship docks, etc. The clause, he added, was designed to -prevent excessive claims for compensation. Another point raised by the deputation was that it should not be left to a harbour board's discretion to make pilotage compulsory in their port, as experience showed that boards would make pilotage compulsory simply to raise reverroe.

The deputation suggested that the Minister for Marine should have the final say in the matter.

The Hon. Miliar pointed out that, if an accident occurred in port, it was reported all over the world, and the port suffered serious damage, the loss ultimately falling on tbe people. He promised to consider the matter, and also, if possible, to make pilotage exemptions apply to masters and mates, instead of, as at present, to ships.