CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11] — Page 560

HARBOUR WATCHMEN.

losure 2. 44034

553

"Every

RECO

In Ord: 36 of 1899, sect: 22, sub-sect: 5, it is enacted that

such Master shall +++ + generally follow such direojo 90 Dying regard to the state of the weather, the condition of the port, or any other circumstances, the Harbour Master may deen it necessary to give a view to

with

the safety of the shiooing and the proper regulation thereof!

any

may m

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2. In sect: 39, sub-sect: 18 of the same Ord: it is also enacted that

* It shall be lawful for the Harbour Master to give such orders to all or

+ + + vessels + + + for the oroper discipline of the Harbour and for the

prevention of disorder or confusion +++ as he may in his discretion think

fit". Sub-sections 17 and 19 of the same sect: further define his oowers.

3. But, in spite of these cowers having been confered aoon him and this

responsibility laid upon him, by law, the Harbour Master has no means at

his disposal whereby he can exercise then, and no staff or machinery through

which he can become acquainted with orsaches of discioline and good order

in the Harbour, and with which to apoly the proper renely.

4. It is true that there is a force of Nater Police but they are Police,

pure and simole, and are not in any way under the control of the Harbour

Master. They do not even report to him any occurrences in the Harbour

calling for action on his part, but such report is made to the C.S.P., who furnishes the Harbour Master with a coov of such report the following day,

when it is generally too late for any action to be taken.

rice

5. The Water Police Inspector has orders to call at the Harbour

once a week "for instructions" from the Harbour Master. Sometimes, when told of things requiring correction, he has suggested that the Ordinance does not provide for such things, and so he can take no action. If he

were acting under the Harbour Master, he would have the Harbour Master's Authority to carry out such orders as the Harbour Yaster may give under the authority of the Ordinance. Nor is there any assurance that his.* "instructions" will be carried out og men not under his authority.

6. It is obviously out of the onestion for the Harbour Master to give instructions to the Water Police when he has nothing to give instructions about, having no information as to anything having happened in the Harbour calling for action on his part, so that it is difficult to see what useful purpose is served by

these weekly visits.