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56
PORTS AND HARBOURS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE:
NOTES.
Adelaide.-Port Adelaide, with other harbours in South Australia, is controlled by the South Australian Harbours Board, appointed under South Australian Act No. 1149 of 1913. The Board consists of three Harbour Commissioners appointed by the Governor in Council. It is responsible to the Minister for
The revenue from the harbours of South Australia, which consists of harbour dues. charges, and rates, is Fredited to the general revenue of the State, but power is given under the Act to levy a harbour improvement rate up to la, per ton on all goods discharged at, or shipped from, any specified harbour.
The funds needed for harbour purposes are provided on the Estimates of South Australia and any loan for harbour development would be raised on the credit of the Government of South Australia.
Brisbane. The harbour is controlled by the Harbours and Rivers Department of the Queensland Government, which is a sub-branch of the Treasury.
Dues are collected at the port under the Queensland Harbour Dues Act, 1893, but the current expenditure and any capital expenditure required for deepening and improvements are met from funds provided by the fiorernment of Queensland.
Fremantle. The harbour is controlled by the Fremantle Harbour Trust Commissioners working under the Fremantle Harbour Trust Act, 1902, of Western Australia, and subsequent Acts, of which the latest is No. 4 of 1913. The Commissioners are five in number, and are appointed by the Government of Western Australia. They represent the most important interests connected with the shipping business.
They work, however, under the control of the Government sincs-
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(1) The regulations which they make, including those as to harbour dues, &c., from which their revenue
ie derived, must have the approval of the Governor in Council.
(2) Their receipts are paid into, and their expenses met from, a special account in the Treasury of
Western Australia.
(3) The funds needed for large capital expenditure on account of improvements are provided by the
Government.
Interest at the rate of 34 per cent, and sinking fund at the mte of 1 per cent. is payable to the Government on the capital account of the Trust.
The Commissioners, with the approval of the Government, are empowered to levy a harbour improvement rate up to 18. per tou on all goods lauded and shipped.
Hobart. The part is controlled by a Marine Board appointed under the Marine Boards Act, 1889, of Tasmania (33 Viet. No. 34), and amending Acts, of which the most recent is No. 16 of 1914.
The Marine Board consists of nine Wardens, of whom one is elected by the other members to be Master Warden. The Warlens themselves are elected by the shipowners, importers, and exporters of the Port of Hobart.
The Marine Board works, however, under the control of the Government of Tasmania in that its by-laws, including those regulating the wharfage rates, fees, &c., from which its revenue is mainly derived, are subject to disallowance by the Tasmanian Parliament. The Marine Board is empowered to raise loans subject to the approval of the Tasmanian Government, provided that the total amount outstanding at any time does not exceed 50,0002.
Any loan is raised on the security of the funds placed at the disposal of the Marine Board by the various Acts.
Melbourne.-Port Philip Heads are under the control of the Government of Victoria, and any some needed for improving the Entrance are provided on the Estimates of the State (Harbours and RiverH Department).
The Port of Melbourne is controlled by the Melbourne Harbone Trust Commission working under the Melbourne Harbour Trust Act, 1890, of Victoria, and subsequent Acts, of which the latest is No. 2449 of 1912.
The Commissioners are five in number and are appointed by the Government of Victoria. Of those other than the Chairman, who is a paid officer, one must be an owner of British ships trading at the Port of Melbourne, another must be an exporter of Victorian produce, anotber must be engaged in business as an importer into Victoria, and the fourth must be identified with primary production in Victoria.
The Commissioners work under the control of the Government of Victoris, by whom their regulations have to be approved, including those as to harbour dues, &c., from which their revenue is derived.
Of their revenue, one fifth (or for the five years 1913-17. 60.0001. per annum, if that is the smaller) is paid into the Consolidated Revenue of Victoria for the general use of the State. The remaining four-fifths are paid into a fund known as the "Harbour Trust Fund," from which all charges are met.
The Commissioners are empowered to borrow, provided that the amount outstanding at any one time dozu not exceed 3,000,0001. (in addition to banking deposit receipts amounting to some 200,0001). The loans are mised on the security of the undertaking.
Bydney. The Port of Sydney is controlled by the Sydney Harbour Trust Commissioners working under the Sydney Harbour Trust Act No. 1 of 1901 of New South Wales, and subsequent Acts, of which the latest is No. 1 of 1914.
The Commissioners are three in number, are appointed by the Government of New South Wales, and are all paid officers.
They work under the supervision of the Government of New South Wales, by whom their regulations have to be approved, including those for the collection of wharfage rates and harbour rates, from which the revenue is mainly derived.
The revenne ia puid into the Treasury of New South Wales and the expenditure is provided on the Estimates of the State.
The Commissioners have no power to raise loans for purposes of deepening or improvement, any sums approved being provided by the Government out of the proceeds of general loans.
Interest has to be paid on the capital debt at such rate (varying between 34 per cent. und 4 per cent, per Annum) ne may be fixed by the Government.
Any balance between the total revenue and total expenditure goes into a sinking fund.
NEW ZEALAND.
57
NEW ZEALAND.
Auckland.
Dunedin (Otago).
Lyttelton,
Wellington.
(For Notes see page 66.)
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