The Short Title of this Act is “The Wellington Harbour Board Act, 1879,” and it shall come into operation on the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eighty.

2 Incorporation of “The Harbours Act, 1878.”

This Act shall be deemed to be a special Act within the meaning of “The Harbours Act, 1878,” which Act and all Acts amending the same shall be incorporated with this Act.

3 Interpretation.

In this Act, if not inconsistent with the context,—

“Harbour” means the Harbour of Wellington as defined at the time of the coming into operation of this Act, or as it may be defined under “The Harbours Act, 1878,” or any Act amending the same:

“Board” means the Harbour Board constituted under the provisions of this Act:

“The said Act” means “The Harbours Act, 1878,” and all Acts amending the same:

“Chamber of Commerce” means the present association in the City of Wellington, known as the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

4 Constitution of Board.

A Board is hereby constituted under the said Act for the Harbour of Wellington, and such Board shall consist of ten members, of whom five shall form a quorum.

5 Members of Board, how elected.

The Board shall be constituted as follows:—

(1.)

Three members to be appointed by the Governor.

(2.)

One member to be elected by the Chamber of Commerce.

(3.)

The Mayor for the time being of the Borough of Wellington.

(4.)

Two members to elected by the ratepayers of the Borough of Wellington.

(5.)

One member to elected by the Council of the County of Hutt.

(6.)

One member to be elected by the Council of the County of Wairarapa East and the Council of the County of Wairarapa West jointly, at a meeting to be held at the offices of the Council of the County of Wairarapa West; the Chairman of such joint meeting of the said Councils to be the person elected thereat as such, and to have a casting vote but not a deliberative vote: Provided that a quorum for the purposes of such meeting shall be five of such Councillors, whether composed partly of the members of both Councils or solely of the members of one of such Councils.

(7.)

One member to be elected by all persons qualified as follows:—

(a.)

All persons who in the year preceding the day of election have paid a sum of not less than ten pounds as harbour dues, port harbour pilotage or wharfage rates, dues, or charges, levied at or in respect of the harbour.

(b.)

All persons who on the day of such election are the registered owners of vessels registered at the Port of Wellington of a registered tonnage or aggregate registered tonnage of not less than fifty tons.

Provided that any person holding both of such qualifications as aforesaid shall be entitled to two votes, one in respect of each of such qualifications.

6 First appointment by Governor.

The members of the Board to be appointed by the Governor may be appointed at any time after the coming into operation of this Act, and they shall hold office from the date of such appointment to the first day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighty, and thereafter for the period of two years prescribed by the said Act.

7 First election.

The first election of the elective members shall be held on the second Monday in the month of February, one thousand eight hundred and eighty.

8 Place of meeting.

The place of meeting for the first election of the members to be elected under the seventh subsection of the fifth section of this Act shall be fixed and publicly notified by the Minister having charge of the Marine Department.

9 Power to lease or purchase wharves, &c.

The Board are hereby empowered to lease from any person, for any term or terms of years, or to purchase from any person, any wharf or wharves, tidal lands, or other land or lands, and whether with or without buildings, at such rent or rents, price or prices, and subject to or upon such covenants, conditions, and agreements either as to tenure, mode of payment, or otherwise in any respect whatever, as may be mutually agreed upon between the Board and such person.

10 Borrowing power.

The Board shall have power to borrow, subject to the provisions of the said Act, any sum not exceeding one hundred thousand pounds, and to apply any of the moneys so borrowed to the purchase of any existing harbour works within the harbour, as well as to the construction of new works.

11 Power to execute leases, &c.

The Board is hereby empowered to execute under its common seal all or any of the leases, conveyances, mortgages, or other deeds, documents, or writings of any nature or kind whatsoever which may be needful, necessary, or expedient for the purpose of carrying into effect any lease or purchase or mortgage authorized by this Act or the said Act.

Wellington Harbour Board Act 1879