HARBOUR TRUSTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4210, 17 September 1874, Page 3

HARBOUR TRUSTS.

The following description of the Harbor Trusts Bill, introduced in the Victorian Parliament, is furnished by the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Herald The joint committee on Harbor Trusts, &c., have published the final report, which they sent in to the Government a fewweeks ago with the draft Harbor Trust Bill. I gave in a former letter. a slight 'indication of what the report was supposed to contain. It now appears that the Bill has five divisions, the first relates to the constitution of the Board ; the second to its jurisdiction; the third to its functions ; the fourth to its revenues ; while the fifth provides for miscellaneous matters. It is proposed to constitute a Board or Trust of twenty-one members, of whom one-third are to be nominated by the Government, and the other 'two-thirds to be elective ; three of the members being chosen by the owners of ships registered in the port, three by the merchants and traders paying rates to the Board, two by tho Corporation of Melbourne, and six by the other Corporations whose territories border on the harbor or rivers to be placed under the control of the Board. Provision is made'for a portion of the members to retire annually, no member retaining his seat for more than three years without a re-election. The example of the Thames Conservancy Commission is quoted by the committee as a reason for giving the Board extended powers over tho rivers,and the report points out very<truly, that “if the pollution and obstruction of tho several streams are to be prevented; and if tho flood waters are to be regulated and controlled, it is needful that the jurisdiction of the Board should not be less extensive than that suggested in the Bill.” A considerable tract of unalienated land, at present swamp, or liable to bo covered by floodwaters as well as other lands on the margin of tho rivers near the Bay, which call loudly for improvement, are proposed to be vested in tho Board; but these “ are intended only to be placed in trust for public purposes in connection with the improvement of tho port, and for the bonefitfof the shipping and mercantile interests of the community. None of them

can be sold without the written sanction of the Governor in Council, and, if sold, the proceeds, less actual outlay by the - Board, are to; be handed over to, and form part of, the Consolidated Revenue of the Colony.” It ia proposed to give the Board powers for the reclamation and improvement vf low-lying lands, the construction or completion of canals, wharfs, jetties, piers, docks, &c., and generally for the management and control of all works necessary for the improvement of the port. It is proposed to hand over to the Board the present wharfage rates, and to give them power to levy dues and charges for the use of the appliances and .property of the Board, and for the improved accommodation which their works will Afford. The unly objection which-at present has been expressed to the pro;wsttds of this committee is that the powers would he so extensive and the property vested in the Board so A r aliiable ; but that is an objection which goes to the very foundation of the scheme, for, if the Board is not to be entrusted with the means of carrying out'their important duties, it will be useless to to have such a Board at all.