7 PORT ECONOMICS

goods, port authorities issue official rate books to intend-
ing importers, who are thereby enabled to study the
regulations and conditions.

RENTALS

In addition to rates levied for the general upkeep of
the port, and charges made in return for specific services,
a port authority will also derive a not inconsiderable
income from rentals for the occupancy of space, either in
the open as in storage grounds and lumber ponds, or under
cover, as in the case of transit sheds and warehouse. It
has been pointed out, however, that it is improper to look
upon transit sheds as storage depots. But it is legitimate
to expect a return from their use for the reception and
discharge of cargo.

Sheds which are assigned under lease to the continuous
use of a firm or company having a line of steamers running
to and from the port are said to be “assigned” or
“ appropriated,” and the berths to which they belong are
styled Appropriated Berths. Other berths and sheds are
available for general use as they are requisitioned in
accordance with trade requirements.

Generally speaking, appropriated berths yield a more
substantial return than those which are unappropriated,
unless there is a constant and unbroken demand for the
latter. Berths are not usually acquired by shipping firms
for their individual use unless they can see their way to
keep them constantly occupied.

It is an advisable procedure, although very rarely
practised, for a port authority to keep an analytical
return of the user of the berths at the port. In this way,
it can be seen whether a berth is remuneratively occupied
or not and the causes investigated. This analytical return
for purposes of effective comparison can be reduced to
terms of expenditure and income per lineal foot or yard
of quay frontage, but a certain amount of discrimination
will have to be exercised between the various classes of

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