THE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1878. THE HARBOR BOARDS ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume 1, Issue 26, 22 November 1878, Page 2

THE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1878. THE HARBOR BOARDS ACT.

Uiie most important measure passed during the recent session, is "The Harbor* Act, 1878," and which cornea into operation on the Ist of January next. This measure repeals all previous Acts relating to tho harbors of the Colony, including "The Foxton Harbor Board Act, 1876," which ceases to be law the day the new Act comes into operation. The Fox ton Harbor Board is constituted under the Act, and is to consist of seven members, three of whom are to be nominated or appointed by tho Go vtfrnor, two to be elected by the Town J3oard of Foxton ; whilst the County Chairman, and Chairman of the Foxton Town Board, are ex officio members of the Board, making up the seven. The Boards at present in existence are required to hold office until the second Monday in February next, when an election shall be held for such members as are required to be elected under the Act. All mem-

bera of the Hoard who huve been nominated by the Governor or Su}>erintendout are to go out of oifioe on the same day, aud fresh Rppoiiitinouts are t(» be made, the persona so ap pointed holdi g office until July, 1881. L'he non elective m«in.l>eis (i.c , tlios',' appoiated by the boveriior), hold their appointments only for th- .spact* I of two years, ami the elective ineiuj bers sit for the same period, the elections being conducted under "The Kegulation of Local Elections Act, 1876." No member of the Board can leceive any salary or vemuneiation other than actual travelling expenses, or hold any salaried office under the Bo.tid. The Chairman is elected by the members of the Board, and has a deliberative and a casting vote, tie [ holds office for one year. The balance [ sheet is to be published eveiy year iv a newspaper. AH works costing over £50 must be let by tender. The funds of the Eoard- are to consist of harbor dues, p lotage rates, rents, and profits ot lands belonging to, or vested in the Board,, and all other moneys received by the Board nnder the Act. Power is given to borrow money for the purposes of the Harbor Boaid, upon debentures for the sum of not less than £20, nor more than £1000, provided no debenture shall be sold at such a price as to produce more than £7 per cont on the price paid. The above are the chief provisions of the Harbor Act so far as they affect the port of Manawatu. The Act, as a whole, is an exceedingly good one. In a country like New Zealand, where there is ao large an extent of coast, and so many harbors require to ba maintained, a compiehensive and carefully-prepared liarbor Act is absolutely necessary. For the last two sessions a great number of per:y Harbor Bills have been inttoduced into Parliament, taking up a considerable amount of time. We are in hopes this will be to a great extent done away with by the now Act. So far as the Foxton harbor is concerned, the constitution of a new Board to watch its interest*;, and endeavor to promote them, should achieve the very best results. We believe a Harbor Ho.ird exists at present in name, or on paper iv some pigeon-hole or other, but we are not aware of any results that have been effected by it. Perhaps with its " new birth," which takes place on the second Monday in February, a more definite line of action may be adopted. We hope so. It is moat essential, if Foxtou would attain the position among the ports of New Zealand it is by nature fitted to, that «'» jealou3 eye should be kept upon all influences that may tend to improve or check our shipping accommodation, to make our river easy of egress or ingress, and gene* rally to attract trado to the port. This can only be done by the banding of a body of men deeply interested in the progress of the port, who are able to see what it is necessaiy to obtain, and what to do away with. Jty good management, the vety best l-esults can b 3 anticipated fiom the formation of a new Harbor Board, and the port of Manawatu be made a flourishing and pros perous town — the entrepot of' the extensive district it commands.