This Act lays down provisions on the establishment, powers of the Solomon Islands Ports Authority; the power of the Minister to appoint ports, their limits and approaches; staff of the Authority for the proper performance of its functions; restriction on alienation of land, and determination of compensation to be paid by the Authority for any damage done to any crops or economic trees; regulation of ports, Authority's wharves and premises; establishment of pilotage districts; levy of harbour and ships' dues; liabilities of the Authority; legal proceedings; and offences. This Act consists of 15 Parts including 106 provisions. The Authority may make rules for the maintenance, control and management of any port and for the maintenance of good order therein, and, in particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, may make rules for the purposes listed in Article 32, including but not limited to: regulating traffic within the limits of a port or the approaches to a port; prohibiting or regulating the erection, maintenance and working of fishing stakes, prescribing the nature of the nets or stakes which may be used, and providing for the licensing of persons authorized to erect and maintain the same, and prescribing the fees which shall be paid for such licence; and regulating, whether by way of prohibition or otherwise, the floating of timber, casks or other objects in any port or the approach to any port and the casting or depositing of any ballast, rubbish or other thing into any port or the approach to any port and providing for the forfeiture of anything found in any port or the approach to any port in contravention of this Act and for the redemption on payment of expenses and a penalty, within a time limit to be fixed, of anything so forfeited. Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to derogate from the powers conferred upon any person under the customs laws as defined in the Customs and Excise Act. Notwithstanding the provisions of any Act or law, the Minister shall prescribe the manner in which by-laws, rules or orders made by the Authority under the provisions of this Act shall be published, and such by-laws, rules or orders shall come into force on publication in the prescribed manner unless otherwise provided therein.
Solomon Islands · 1956-06-04