THE HARBOUR BOARD ACT.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XI, Issue 3185, 4 December 1878, Page 3

THE HARBOUR BOARD ACT.

Thb Harbour Board Act of last session possesses more than ordinary interest at the Thames, where wo are just beginning to feel the benefits of local control. We append a synopsis of the clauses of tho new A ci so far as they affect us. Section 19 makes the Thames Harbour Board to be a Harbour Bowl constituted under " The Harbours Act, 1878." 20 makes Board to be constituted in same manner as before. 22. Present members hold office until the second Monday in February, 1879, when new election takes place for those members elected by the payees of due?, under the provisions of the Local Elections Act. 31. Certificate under seal of any corporate local governing body that the person named therein is the Mayor shall be conclusive evidence of same. 32 All elective members (i.e.,.in the case of the Thames Harbour Board, all but the Mayor) hold office fir two years, 35 and 36 provide for the election of members of the Board by llie payees of dues and port charges (in the cise of the Thames for three members); corporate body can vote. 33. Provided that any member appointed by a local governing body ceasing to he a member of such body shall cease to be a member o£ the Harbour Board. 41 provides for filling a vacancy lowing to the non-election of a member either by retusal or neglect, 46. Under this section we think the County Council could not elect two members in lieu of theWaiotahi and Kauwaeranga Koad Boards without the Governor, by Order in Council, declare that, the County Council shall return two members in lieu of those elected by the above-named road boards, which have ceased to be. 55. Provides that an annual meeting shall be held at noon on the third Monday in January in each year for the production of accounts after being audited, and'that'a balance-sheet ahall be published three times in a newspaper circulating in the district. 57. Board may make bye-laws, and the manner of making those bye-laws (is shown in sections 58 to 61. 65 to 58 refer to contracts. 09. Provides that the Board shall provide proper servants and labourers for working cranes, &c., on wharves,

76. Harbour Board shall have power to appoint or license pilots for acting within the district, uuder the control of the Board, and ; every Board shall fix the pilotage rates (but, undtr'seciioa 26,-weprerume, Captain Be3t would remaiu pilot unless dismissed by Board). 78. Ths master or mate of a colonial trading vessel may, upon giving due notioa, be examined, by the Harbour-master, and receive from Harbour Board a pilotage certificate that he is competent to pilot such ship within the lsniits of the district under the control of Board, 79. Such pilotage certificate shall authorise him to pilot the ship named in such certificate so long as he is acting-master or mate of such ship within the limits of the Board's district without incurring penalties for the non-employ-ment of a qualified pilot. 80 Allows appeal against Board to Minister of the Crown. 81. Fee for such certificate, £2 2s, 82. Such certificate may be extended to any other vessel under charge of such master or. mate or report of Harbour-master.

83 Provides that where pilotage exemption certificate is paid for'by the owners of vessels it may be transferred from master to master or from mate to mate on such new master or mate passing lii 3 examination before Harbourmaster,

84. Board may annul pilotage exemption certificate if master or mate, has been guilty of neglect, drunkenness, or other misconduct. _ 88. Exempted vessels pay one full rate of pilotage annually. 89. The pilot may not conduct vessel to "sea until she has been cleared outwards at the Cus> torag, and until the pilotage rates have been paid.

91, 92, 93 relate to offences by pilots; 4 94, 95 Relate to pilot boats and pilot signals.

96 to 101 Provides for the erection, renewal, and maintenance of lights, buoys, beacons, &c, by the Board, subject, in all cases, to the control by the estimates.

Clause 103 gives the Board power to prohibit the removal of ballast or tailings. Clause 112, sub-section 4, is capable of such construction as will enforce payment of dues from vessels discharging on the bard, equal to those discharging at the wharf. Dues levied by Harbour are to be expended on harbour works. Land can only be reclaimed from the sea with the authority of a special Act, except such works as are commenced before the passing of this Act, in which case plans are to be lodged with the Governor in Council before the end of February next. Land reclaimed by the Board is to be under the control of the Borough Council. Harbour works must receive the sanction of tho Governor in Council. Harbour Boards have power to make bye-laws regulating their income, and considerable latitude is allowed in this respect. The Board may make a harbour improvement rato not exceeding 2s per ton upon goods discharged or shipped.