HARBOUR BOARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 246, 17 October 1922, Page 8

HARBOUR BOARDS.

WIDER POWKRS OK MATIN"!!. (Ty "lVli'itrapli. - I'arliamputar.v Kpportcr.i WELLJXCiTOX. Momlav. l v of tin- clauses in the Hnrhotir* Amendment Bill. introduced in the; House to-nijrlit are designed to facilitate tin" administrative work uf Ixmrds. and -ome iirp of wider interest. Boards are in lie given ;i larper riiniie within which .'lipy may levy (heir charge*. 'Clip uiaxituuni liarlionr improvements rate may lit , three sliillinps. instead of the former maximum of two. sliillinn>. and hoards ere given power to make exemption", uk (lit , phrasing of the former Act directthai the rate must he i-harged on "all jroods disfharged or shipped is changed to read: "All or any." liar hnnrmasters' fees for vessels of 120 tons or upwards may lip twopence, instead if Ihe former maximum of one penny, while "tnaller vessels may Ite charged £1. instead of ten shillings. The maximum for Tort Chalmers is raised from iifteeniieni'i' per lost to two shillings, and watermen"* lieensi-s may !«■ lliree •niineas ill place of two <rtiineas. Pilotage rates may he ninepeme per ton .11 f:\ilinjr vessels, instead 01 sixpffiiet , . and steam vessels may be called on to pay sixpence per ton in place nt ihe former maximum of feiirpenw.

The space occupied by deck i-iirjfd is to Iμ- held lialilc for harbour dues.

British and foreign ships of war are exempt from port charges, but ilic amending bill makes it clear thai hoards may eluirjfe warships sums actually c\jiended fur labour and material in docking or slipping such vessels. THK i-'IXAXv/lAL « I.AIKKS. I'lie rinnncinl clauses include the planting uf power to the Sinking Fuml (onimissioners to utilise sinking funds !.. piH-cliase (Ifbcntnreo of the board. Funds at the credit of the harbour fund may. if desired, lie placed on deposit with any bank at interest, or the jiivp-*----nieiit may. with the consent of the linvrrnor-itcnernl in Council, he made with nn incorporated building society or investment company, whose business includes receipt of money on deposit.

LUOHT.S TO THK FORKSIIOKK. Harbour boards' ti> the foreshore an; granted i.nly by special Act, Imt ii is proposed in the bill k> \vnivi> ilus restriction when; it is po-sihle to reclaim mini lints where they arc not necessary for purposes of a harbour. If silcil lauds citn hi' made available for agricultural purposes, harhonr 1 Mian Is may. with Uic conseiii of (lie Governor--0.-neral in Council, {train leases on condition that the lessee reclaims, hv

■inbaiikniciit i>r otherwise, the laud comprised in his lease within » definite prriorl.