Page:South Africa Act 1909.djvu/31

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62
South Africa Act, 1909.

A.D. 1909.

expiration of two months after the first meeting of Parliament, the Governor-General-in-Council may draw therefrom and expend such moneys as may be necessary for the public service, and for railway and harbour administration respectively.

Transfer of Colonial property to the Union.

121. All stocks, cash, bankers’ balances, and securities for money belonging to each of the Colonies at the establishment of the Union shall be the property of the Union: Provided that the balances of any funds raised at the establishment of the Union by law for any special purposes in any of the Colonies shall be deemed to have been appropriated by Parliament for the special purposes for which they have been provided.

Crown lands, etc.

122. Crown lands, public works, and all property throughout the Union, movable or immovable, and all rights of whatever description belonging to the several Colonies at the establishment of the Union, shall vest in the Governor-General-in-Council subject to any debt or liability specifically charged thereon.

Mines and minerals.

123. All rights in and to mines and minerals, and all rights in connection with the searching for, working for, or disposing of, minerals or precious stones, which at the establishment of the Union are vested in the Government of any of the Colonies, shall on such establishment vest in the Governor-General-in-Council.

Assumption by Union of colonial debts.

124. The Union shall assume all debts and liabilities of the Colonies existing at its establishment, subject, notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Act, to the conditions imposed by any law under which such debts or liabilities were raised or incurred, and without prejudice to any rights of security or priority in respect of the payment of principal, interest, sinking fund, and other charges conferred on the creditors of any of the Colonies, and may, subject to such conditions and rights, convert, renew, or consolidate such debts.

Ports, harbours, and railways.

125. All ports, harbours, and railways belonging to the several Colonies at the establishment of the Union shall from the date thereof vest in the Governor-General-in-Council. No railway for the conveyance of public traffic, and no port, harbour, or similar work, shall be constructed without the sanction of Parliament.

Constitution of Harbour and Railway Board.

[1]126. Subject to the authority of the Governor-General-in-Council, the control and management of the railways, ports, and harbours of the Union shall be exercised


  1. For constitution of Railway and Harbour Board see Govt. Notice No. 62 of 1910 (Gazette, 14th June, 1910, p. 138).