AGY-516 | Navigation Department

Full description

The Royal Commission into the Marine Board 1897 recommended that the administrative and judicial maritime functions of the government be separated. The Navigation Department (together with the Court of Marine Inquiry) was set up in response to this recommendation. The Navigation (Amendment) Act, 1899 (Act No.32, 1899), which received assent on 17 March 1900 (1), transferred the powers and duties of the former Marine Board to the Superintendent of the Navigation Department, acting under the Colonial Treasurer. However enquiries and appeals under the Navigation Acts, 1871-96 were to be heard by the Court of Marine Inquiry. The Governor was permitted to make regulations under the Act, and appoint staff in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Act, 1895. Under the Sydney Harbour Trust Act, 1901 (Act No.1 1901), which was to have come into operation on 1 November 1900 (2) but did not receive assent until 11 February 1901 (3), the responsibilities of the Navigation Department, and formerly the Marine Board, which were related to Sydney Harbour, were taken over by the Trust. When the Maritime Services Board was set up on 1 February 1936 (4), upon the recommendation of the Maritime Services Co-ordination Board the Board combined the functions of the Navigation Department and the Sydney Harbour Trust.

Endnotes
1. New South Wales Government Gazette No.239, 19 March 1900, p.2233.
2. Sydney Harbour Trust Act, 1901 (Act No.1, 1901), Section 1.
3. New South Wales Government Gazette No.122, 15 February 1901, p.1153.
4. New South Wales Government Gazette No.27, 31 January 1936, p.547.