Sessional_Paper_1891 — Page 190

186

ation might not be more fairly distributed to the relief of the rate-payers. Attention was lately drawn by the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and by a question in Council of the Honourable Mr. WHITEHEAD, to the supposed necessity of a Harbour Board, chiefly on account of the fact that in former years the funds raised for Light Dues had been more than sufficient for the maintenance of the lights, and because on the completion of the Gap Rock Lighthouse this would probably occur again; and it is evident that the President of the Chamber of Commerce (from the point of view of what I may call the non-local shipowners) would like the cost of Lights as well as all Harbour expenses to be paid from the rates. But as regards the alleged surplus revenue from Lights, it seems to be forgotten that besides Lighthouses there are other costly services, such as the Harbour Master's Establishment, Harbour Launches, Harbour Police, and the Observatory, involving an aggregate expenditure of some $80,000 per annum, which are maintained for the benefit of the shipping, and which are prin- cipally maintained out of the ordinary taxation of the Colony. If the above view is correct as to the improbability of shipping being driven away by the small tax that would be necessary for the purpose, I think it to be well worth consideration whether it should not be imposed to the relief of other forms of taxation. If, on a principle which I understand is in force at Shanghai, vessels should be exempted from payment more than once in three months, I apprehend that the new tax would fall lightly or not at all on the local vessels which contribute. proportionately by far the larger benefit to the Colony, and would be felt as little or nothing by the people of this community. I throw out this as possibly a useful suggestion for the future, and I may add that any advantage which might otherwise accrue from a Harbour Board, would be increased if it were empowered and required to raise from ships all the funds which have to be expended for their benefit.

And now having touched on all the points of this question which appear to demand attention, I commend these remarks to the careful consideration of the Council and the Community, with the sincere expression of my pleasure that I am able on the eve of my departure from the Colony to take, as I venture to think on very sufficient grounds, so favourable a view of its condition and prospects.