HARBOUR BOARDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 August 1924, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARDS.

MEETING OF. ASSOCIATION. Cut telegraph—press association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 14. The conference of the Harbours Association of New Zealand was continued yesterday, Mr. G. Mitchell ("Wellington) presiding. The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister for Marine) said that although he had promised last year t<> bring in an amending Bill this session, in view of the present conference he had decided to postpone further legislation until next year, until he had had an opportunity of carefully considering the recommendations of the conference. He pointed out that the Act provided that before a harbour work could be commenced the plans must be approved by the department. Hitherto the attitude had largely been that if the work did not interfere with navigation the department’s function was fulfilled. However, in future it would be wise, especially in the case of new harbours, that the complete plans should be submitted without any fuss or trouble. These plans should be thoroughly gone into, and then the public would have greater security than if such precautionary steps were not taken. The department would determine if the harbour work was essential, sound from the navigational and engineering point of view; whether, if other means of transport existed, the provision of additional means was justifiable, and whether the work would be of such advantage as to be self-supporting without recourse to special rating.

The following remits were adopted: That the section of the Act dealing with the annual election of a chairman be amended to provide that nominations for that office be lodged not less than seven days previous to the statutory date on which the election is held.

That consideration be given to the. suggestion of the M«irine Department that section 33 of the Harours Act, 1923, be altered to provide that reasonable additional cost shall be based on the ratio which the members of a harbour* board bear towards the members the local authority or authorities participating in the election Tha t section 45 of the Harbours Act, 1893, bo amended to provide for the same notice being given of the statutory meetings as is required for special meetings, namely, four days. That the Finance 1920, and the Trustee Act, 1908, be so amended as to authorise the investment of trust moneys in loans of harbour boards not having rating powers. That power be given to trustees and friendly societies to invest moneys in harbour board loans.

-Additional remits passed were : That every person commits an offence who directly or indirectly discharges sewage, etc-., into any harbour or on to the foreshore of any harbour; that the Harbours Act, 1923, be so amended as to make it clear that boards are to be entitled to full compensation for lands taken or injuriously affected by the resumption of land by the Government; that owners of land on river banks be compelled to keep the banks clear of overhanging growth in the case of all navigable streams; that the owner of a ship in connection with which towage service shall be rendered bv the boaid shall be liable to pay the ’ towage ‘ for* such service; that the Harbours Act be amended to provide that contracts need not be made where the amount to lie expended is less than £SOO (£SO is now the limit).