HARBOUR LAWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 60, 5 December 1918, Page 8

HARBOUR LAWS

INCREASED POWERS FOR THE GOVERNMENT WORK ON THE WHARVES The powers required by Hie Government to give etfect to the recommendations of the Waterside Commission arc continued in new- provisions added to the War Legislation and Stntute Amendment Bill by the Legislative Council nnd agreed" to by the House of Keprosentatives. Tho Government is empowered to make general harbour regulations for any of the following purposes-.— (a) Preventing the overloading of shipa or the overcrowding of ships with passengers. (b) Providing f6r the inspection and testing from time to time, by a surveyor of ships or an inspector of machinery, or other competent person to be authorised in that behalf by the Minister of Marine, of all machinery, ropes, stagings, and all other appliances or gear (whether on board any ship or not) used in connection with the. loading, unloading, or transhipment of any goods; and prohibiting the use for any .such purpose of any machinery, .ropes, staging, appliances, or gear that may not be approved on such inspection. (c) Prescribing with respect to any class or classes of chains, ropes, hooks, or other upoliimces used 'in connection with the loading or unloading or transhipment of goods the maximum weight or strain which they shall be deemed capable of bearing, nnd prohibiting, in the course of any such operations, as aforesaid, the.placing of any weight or strain in excess of the maximum so prescribed on any such, chain, rope, hook, or other appliance ae aforesaid. (d) Providing for the effective lighting of ships and wharves at all times while goods are being loaded, unloaded, or transhipped at any time after sunset and before sunrise. (e) Providing for the ventilation, cleansing, and disinfection of wharves and ships. (f) Prescribing all such things as may be deemed necessary with respect' to harbour lights, buoys, beacons, and signals. (g) Prescribing rules for' determining the qualifications in respect , of age, time of service, skill, character, and otherwise to be required of persons holding positions as harbourmasters or acting as pilots. (h) Regulating all ether matters relating to the protection of life and property in or on ships, wharves, or harbours, and providing for the safe navigation of all harbours, navigable rivers, and navigable lakes. (i) Generally, for carrying into effect the provisions of tho principal Act and its amendments in eo far as they confer powers or impose duties with respect to harbours on the Governor-General, or tho Governor-General-in-C'ouncil, or on the-Minister; and (j) Fixing such fines, not exceeding JJIOO in any case, for offences against regulations made hereunder General harbour regulations made under this section shall be in force in all ports or harbours in New Zealand, and the l>3--laws of all harbour boards shall be read subject to the provision!; of the general harbour regulations for tlio time being in force. '