HARBOR BOARD BILL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 109, 8 May 1874, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD BILL.

Mr Pitt, in his capacity of member for tbe Cily,Jiftroduced last night a Bill to constitute a Harbour Board for the Port of Nelson. It is a question worthy of consideration whether the powers proposed to be handed over fo the Harbor Board might not be more advantageously vested inUh&City Council. We merely throw out -.he suggestion and shall be happy to receive and give publication to any communications on the subject by those who" take. a special interest in matters pe^tainjoji; to the harbor. We give below $n abstract of the Bill, the second reading of which is fixed for Wednesday evening next:— Clauses I nnd 2 provide for the constitution of a Harbor Board consisting of six members. Clause 3 states that two are to be appointed by *|he Superintendent with tbe advi<?e of his Executive Council, and four *by* the Provincial Counci!, the Superintendent to appoint tbe whole number if the Council be not in session on', the day fixed for making the appointments, four of them to be removed, or their appointments confirmed, at the nextseesion. Clause 4. One of the members* appointed by tbe Superintendent and twcpf-thpse appointed by the Council — to be dfclermined by the members of the Board by lot — to go out of oflice on tbe 10th of May 1875, and so on in each subsequent yeor. Clause 5 provides for the filling up of a vacancy by the Superintendent in the event of the retiring members having been appointed by him, and Clause 6 contains a similar provision for a new appointment by the Provincial Council, should the member going out of oflice have been nominated by that body. Clause 9. The Superintendent is to determine the validity of any disputed appointment and to fix the day for the first meeting of the Board. Clause 10. No person directly or indirectly interested in any contract entered into by the Board shall be capable of serving ns a member. Clause 12. The Board is to have power to make bye-laws for the regulation of its meetings, appointment of chairman, fixing the number necessary for a quorum, and deciding upon the remuneration and duties of its officers, <_c. Clause 14. All accounts to be audited by the Provincial Auditor, "and au

abstract thereof to be published in tbe Government Gazette. Clause 15 authorises the Superintendent to vest in the Board all reserves in trust for the endowment of, or for purposes of public utility for the port of Nelson, also all lauds below high water mark in the port, subject to any contracts, leases or mortgages affecting such lands the Board being liable for all charges and debts upon tbe same. Clause 16. The Board to be allowed to reclaim from the sea any lands so vested in it, and to regulate the manner of reclamation. Clause 17. The Board may let on lease any lands vested in it for any term not exceeding 99 years, nnd may raise by mortgage of any such lands eny sum not exceeding £50,000.