83
PORTS AND HARBOURS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE:
NOTES.
145
Aden. The harbour is controlled by a Board of Trustees appointed under Bombay Acts. Nos, 5 of 1888,
The Trustees consist of a Chairman appointed by the Govern 1 of 1835. 1 of 1911, and 4 of 1914.
ment of Bombay, two ex-officio members, and four other members appointed by the Government of Bombay. The revenuo consists mainly of port dues, tells and wharfage and pilotage recripta The annual estimates are submitted to the Government of Bombay for approval. Ins may be raised in the open market under the Indian Local Authorities Loans Act, with the sunetion of the Government of India. Such loans, unless special auction is given, must be in rupees, not in sterling. Sanction for sterling los is ouly given after previous consultation with the Secretary of State for India in Council.
Bombay. The harbour is controlled by a Board of Trustees appointed under the Bombay Port Trust Act of 1879, as amended by various Acts, of which the hat is No. 6 of 1914. The Trustees consist of a Chairman appointed by the Government of Bombay, 9 nominee trustees, appointed by the Government of Bombay (of whom 1 must be a military officer serving in the Bombay Brigade und not less than 3 natives of India residing in the City of Bombay), and 7 elective Trusters, of whom ♬ are elected by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, 1 by the Native Piece Goods Merchants Association of Bomlay, and 1 by the Mill Owners' Association of Bombay,
The revenue is derived principally from wharfage and dock fece, port dues, and pilotage receipts. The annual estimates are submitted to the Government of Bombay for approval. No expenditure can be charged to capital without the express sanction of that Government.
The Government of Bombay may advance money to the Board of Trustees, with the previous consent of the Goverment of India, or may sanction the raising of money by the Board by means of debentures or stock, subject to certain conditions as to sinking fund. Loans of over 5 lakhs of rupees or for more than 30 years' duration require the sanction of the Government of India. Sanation for sterling loans is only given after previous consultation with the Secretary of State for India in Conneil.
Calcutta. The harbour is controlled by a Board of Commissioners appointed under the Calcutta Port Act of 1890 and subsequent Bengal Acts, of which the last is No. 1 of 1912 The Board consists of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and 5 Commissioners, all nominated by the Government of Bengal, and of 9 elected Commis- sioners. Of the latter, 6 are elected by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, and I each by the Corporation of Calcutta, the Calentta Trades Association, and the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce (representing the native mercantile community).
The revenue is derived principally from wharf and dock fore, from receipts from the docks railway, rents from land and buildings, and river dues. The annual estimates are submitted to the Government of Bengal for approval.
The Board of Commissioners are empowered to borrow money from the Government of India for new works. The Commissioners may also, within limits fixed from time to time by the Government of Bengal, and with the previous sanction of the Government of India, borrow in the open market by means of debeatures or stock, subject to certain conditions as to sinking fund, &c. Unless special sanction is given, loans are to be contracted in India, and are to be in Indian currency. Sanction for sterling loss is only given after previous consultation with the Secretary of State for India in Council.
Colombo.-The harbour is controlled by a Harbour Commission established by Administrative Act of the Ceylon Government in 1913. The Commission consists of 12 members: of these, 6 are official members (1 being Chairman) appointed by the Ceylon Government, and 6 are unofficial members. Of the latter, 5 are nominated by the Colombo Chamber of Commerce, and 1 is nominated by the Governor of Ceylon to represent native interests.
The revenue of the Commission consists mainly of dues and pilotage receipts, and of rents,
As regards the cost of new works, it is intended to finance the first series of works during the first five years of the existence of the Commission, i.e., till 1918, from surplus balances of the Ceylon Government. The matter will then be reconsidered.
Hong Kong. The harbour is controlled by the Harbour Department, which is a Department of the Colonial Government. The Chief Officer of the Department is the Harbour Master, appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
There are no port dues, the revenue being derived mainly from boat and junk fees and light dues. Any works of improvement are financed by the Colonial Government.
Singapore. The harbour is controlled by the Singapore Harbour Board established under Straits Settlements Ordinance No. 5 of 1912. The Board consists of a Chairman, who is also General Manager of the undertaking, and of not less than 4, or more than 8, other members, all appointed by the Governor of the Straite Settlements. The revenue is derived mainly from wharfage and harbour ducs (the rates of which have to be approved by the Governor-in-Comcil); a small sum is derived from the sale of electric power and the rent of properties.
The annual estimates require the approval of the Governor.
Under Ordinanca 5 of 1012, the Governor of the Straits Settlements in Council is empowered to lend money to the Singapore Harbour Board for the purpose of new works. Interest on such advances is at such rate as may be agreed upon between the Board and the Governisent, and sinking fund at the rate of 1 per cent. per annum is also payable after 10 years, if the money lent has been raised by means of debentures or stock.
Q
Für spring
sir,
DOMINIONS ROYAL COMMISSION,
SCOTLAND House,
VICTORIA EMBANKMENT,
53709
LONDON, S.W.
REC
19 November, 1915.
REG? 20 NOV 15
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter Forr
No. 44791/15 of the 12th. of October forwarding a copy of a des-
patch from the Governor of Hong Kong covering an amended print of
particulars with reference to Hong Kong Harbour.
I have been through the amendments carefully and also the
Memorandum by the Director of Public Works, forwarded by Sir F.H.
May. The amendments, and portions of Mr. Chatham's Memorandum,have
been incorporated in a fresh section of the print eight copies
of which are enclosed herewith.
There are one or two points in connexion with the print as
now amended on which I am still in doubt, and I would ask that
the Governor of Hong Kong may be further consulted with regard
to them. These points are as follows:-
(1). The answer to Question 1 as furnished by the Hong Kong Gov-
ernment states that the approach to Sulphur Channel shallows
ceawards to 60ft.(L.W.C.S.T.). As the depth of the entrance itself
is given as 54ft.1.1.0.S. T.), the word "shallows" in this connexion
seems a little inappropriate, but I think it is probably best to
leave it as it stands as the meaning is quite clear.
(2). In answer to Question 3 no information is given as to the
rise of ordinary neaps above L.W.0.3.T. It would make the Return
more complete if this information could be supplied.
(3). It will be noticed that in reply to Question 6 information
:
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