AGY-5023 | Newcastle Navigation Department

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The Navigation Department along with the Court of Marine Inquiry had been set up following the recommendation of the Royal Commission into the Marine Board 1897, that the administrative and judicial functions of the Board be separated. Under the Navigation (Amendment) Act, 1899 the powers and duties of the Marine Board were conferred on the Superintendent of the Navigation Department, acting under the Colonial Treasurer, except that enquiries and appeals under the Navigation Acts, 1871-96 were to be heard by the Court of Marine Enquiry and that the Governor was permitted to make regulations under the Act, and appoint staff in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Act, 1895. (1) A deputy superintendent for the port of Newcastle was appointed under the Navigation (Amendment) Act, 1899. The deputy superintendent had, in the absence of the superintendent, all such powers and authorities conferred on the superintendent and was to perform such of the duties imposed by the Act on the superintendent or as may be prescribed by the Governor. (2) Assent of Governor Beauchamp to the Navigation (Amendment) Act, 1899 appears in New South Wales Government Gazette on 19 March 1900. (3). On 1 February 1936 under the Maritime Services Act, 1935 and following the report of the Maritime Services Co-ordination Board the functions of the Navigation Department and the Sydney Harbour Trust were transferred to the Maritime Services Board. The Newcastle Navigation Department was replaced by the Port of Newcastle Advisory Committee which was constituted for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to the Maritime Services Board in connection with the exercise and discharge of its powers, authorities, duties, functions and obligations in relation to the management, control and development of the Port of Newcastle.(4) Endnotes:
(1) Statutes of New South Wales, 1899. Navigation (Amendment) Act, 1899, (Act No. 32, 1899), s.2, p.287.
(2) Ibid., s.4, p.287.
(3) New South Wales Government Gazette, 19 March 1900, p.2233.
(4) Statutes of New South Wales, 1937, Maritime Services Act, 1935 (Act No. 47, 1935), s.4, p.497.