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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