The Port of London Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 11 April 1903, Page 2

The Port of London Bill.

The Port of London Bill, promoted by the Right. Hon. Gerald Balfour, President of the London Board of Tradej has been read a first time in the House of Commons, The measure is based on the report of the Royal Commission which investigated matters connected with the port. [The Post explains '.—The Royal Commission on the Port of London was appointed in June 1900, and reported in July last. The Commission found that the river channels and docks were inadequate to meet the requirements of modern commerce. There was, however, great difficulty in improving the Porte owing to the division of powers among different authorities The creation, of a single public authority for the control and improvement of the Port was recommended. It Was recommended that the powers of Trinity House relating to piloting, lighting, and buoying within the Port of London should be transferred to the new authority. The property of the Dock Companies Was proposed to be taken over, and also the property of the Thames Conservancy from Teddingtoa Lock seawards The warehouses of the dock Companies which were not employed in the enlargement of the quays should be leased or sold subject to certain conditions The purchase price of the docks should be payable in Port Stock, bearing interest at a fixed rate ; the amount necessary for the improvements in the channels of the river and subsidiary works was put at £2,500,000, while the improvement of tbe dock will cost not less than £4,500,000, making a total of £7,00,000, to be .spread over ten years. The dock rates are to be made uniform. The proposed new authority was to consist of forty nominated and elected members representing the various interests.]