THE HARBOURS BILL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 960, 29 October 1910, Page 6

THE HARBOURS BILL.

CONSTITUTION OF BOARDS. AGREEMENT COME TO. There seemed a danger yesterday morning of tho Harbours Bill being shelved, owing to the inability of the House of Representatives to come to an agreement as to tho constitution of the boards. In Committee the constitution of tho Auckland Harbour Board was altered by eliminating one Government nominee. Tho Minister in Charge(tho Hon. J. A. Millar) then proposed that the board should consist of thirteen members instead of fourteen, but tho House would not agree to this, neither could-it come to an agreement whether tho extra representative should be given to tho city or to the country. In consequence of the divisions of opinion, the Minister threatened to drop the Bill. An arrangement has, however, been come to amongst Auckland members as to the constitution of the Auckland Harbour Board, and, as Mr. Millar has practically approved of it, and it is not likely to be opposed in tho House, one obstacle in the way of the Bill is removed. As thero is agreement as to the constitution of practically all. tho other boards, the Bill should roach the Statute-book this session. The arrangement in regard to the Auckland Board is that there should be fourteen members, but only one Government nominee. The seat which was originally, to have been occupied by a Government nominee is to bo given to the payers of harbour dues on ships, who will, therefore, have two representatives. The Borough of Hamilton is to be given representation, by being combined with the Counties of Raglan and Waikato in returning one member. "The Borough of Cambridge is to be combined with the County ofWaipa in returning ■ one member. Ail' arrangement has' been come to amongst members interested in tho Thames Harbour Board that there should be only one Government nominee and only one/member elected by payers of harbour-dues. The two seats thus made available: are to-be given one to the Borough of "Waihi and one to the Borough of Te Aroha. The number of members on the board remains at nine.