Skip to the text
Grand Bahama

Hawksbill Creek Agreement

The Hawksbill Creek Agreement and related Acts (Statute Law of The Bahamas, 2009 Law Revision)

The 1955 Agreement and related Acts as printed in the 2009 Law Revision, with the 1966 amending Agreement and the 1994 Agreement. The 1960 amending Agreement and later changes are not included.

Open the original PDFAsk a question about it

Contents
  1. Hawksbill Creek Act 1955 (Chapter 261)
  2. 1955 Agreement (Hawksbill Creek Act 1955 (Chapter 261))
  3. Hawksbill Creek (Amendment of Agreement) (No. 2) Act 1965 (Chapter 263)
  4. 1966 Agreement (Hawksbill Creek (Amendment of Agreement) (No. 2) Act 1965 (Chapter 263))
  5. Hawksbill Creek (Interpretation of Agreement) Act 1965 (Chapter 264)
  6. Hawksbill Creek (Extension of Tax Exemption Period) Act 1993 (Chapter 265)
  7. Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993 (Chapter 30)
  8. 1994 Agreement (Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993 (Chapter 30))

Hawksbill Creek Act 1955 (Chapter 261)

Hawksbill Creek Act 1955 (Chapter 261)

HAWKSBILL CREEK, GRAND BAHAMA (DEEP WATER HARBOUR AND INDUSTRIAL AREA) An Act to authorise the entering into of an agreement 5 of 1955 with a company to be incorporated in the Colony by Wallace Groves for the dredging of a deep water harbour and the establishment of an industrial area at and in the vicinity of Hawksbill Creek, Grand Bahama. [Commencement 20th June, 1955]

Hawksbill Creek Act 1955 (Chapter 261), section 2

2. The Governor in Council is hereby authorised, at Governor in any time within six months after the coming into operation Council authorised to of this Act, to enter into an agreement, substantially in the enter into form set out in the Schedule hereto, with a company to be agreement. incorporated in the Colony by Wallace Groves for the dredging of a deep water harbour and the establishment of an industrial area at and in the vicinity of Hawksbill Creek in the Island of Grand Bahama.

Hawksbill Creek Act 1955 (Chapter 261), section 3

3. The Public Seal of the Colony shall be affixed to Agreement to be the said agreement and the same shall be signed by and on sealed with Public Seal. behalf of the Governor in Council by the Governor.

1955 Agreement (Hawksbill Creek Act 1955 (Chapter 261))

1955 Agreement, recitals

BAHAMA ISLANDS NEW PROVIDENCE THIS AGREEMENT made the ................................. day of ........................................... in the year of Our Lord thousand Nine hundred and Fifty-five BETWEEN His Excellency The Right Honourable The Earl of Ranfurly Governor and Commander-in- Chief in and over the Bahama Islands Acting for and on behalf of the Government of the Bahama Islands (who and whose successors in office for the time being are hereinafter included in the term “the Government”) of the one part AND The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the said Bahama Islands and carrying on business within the Colony (hereinafter called “the Port Authority” which expression where the context so admits shall include their assigns) of the other part WHEREAS: (a) The Crown has agreed to grant conditional purchase leases to the Port Authority for Fifty thousand acres of Crown Land surrounding and in the vicinity of Hawksbill Creek on the Island of Grand Bahama (hereinafter referred to as “Hawks- bill Creek”) and to grant a conditional purchase lease to the Port Authority of the bed of the sea underlying Hawksbill Creek the said bed of the sea being approximately delineated on that part which is coloured Pink of the diagram or plan hereto attached marked “A”; (b) The Port Authority have agreed to purchase from private owners approximately Eighty acres of land in the vicinity of Hawksbill Creek; (c) The Port Authority may purchase from private owners approximately a further Fourteen hundred and Twenty acres of land in the vicinity of Hawksbill Creek; (d) The Port Authority have made certain proposals to the Government for the dredging and construction of a deep water harbour and a turning basin at Hawksbill Creek with a view to encouraging the establishment of factories and other industrial undertakings within the Port Area; and (e) The Government being satisfied that the dredging and construction of a deep water harbour and turning basin at Hawksbill Creek and the establishment of factories and industrial undertakings in the vicinity thereof will be of great economic benefit to the Colony in providing large-scale additional employment thus increasing the revenue of the Colony and in providing for and encouraging the economic and practicable development and exploitation of the Colony’s raw material resources have agreed in consideration of the covenants on the part of the Port Authority hereinafter contained to grant the concessions and to enter into this Agreement as hereinafter appearing NOW THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH in consideration of the premises as follows:

1955 Agreement, clause 1

1. The Port Authority hereby covenant with the Government that unless prevented from so doing by Act of God, insurrection, riots, civil commotion, war or warlike operations, strikes, lockouts, force majeure, or any unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances which may be reasonably considered to be beyond the control of the Port Authority (including the inability of the Port Authority to obtain or employ the necessary labour or to obtain or secure the necessary materials) they will:

1955 Agreement, clause 1(1)

(1) Within Three years from the date of these presents: (a) Dredge a channel not less than Two hundred (200) feet in width with a minimum depth of Thirty (30) feet at mean low water of average tide from the sea to the mouth of Hawksbill Creek and within Hawksbill Creek dredge a channel not less than Two hundred (200) feet in width with a minimum depth of Twenty- seven (27) feet at mean low water of average tide and dredge a turning basin (consisting of the said channel Two hundred (200) feet wide and such further dredging as may be necessary) providing a turning radius of not less than Six Hundred (600) feet; and (b) Construct a wharf inside of Hawksbill Creek at least Six hundred (600) feet long such wharf to be constructed in a good, proper, and workmanlike manner and so as to be able to accommodate cargo vessels using the said port, and with a suitable apron for vehicular traffic at least Ten (10) feet wide along the harbour side of such wharf properly smoothed and surfaced; which said works set forth in paragraph (a) and (b) of this subclause of this clause and all replacements thereof additions thereto and extensions thereof made during the continuance of this Agreement are hereinafter referred to as “the Port Project.”

1955 Agreement, clause 1(2)

(2) Upon completion of the Port Project maintain the same in good repair and condition and keep the said channel and turning basin clear and free from obstructions and assume full responsi- bility for the provision of such navigational aids and markers as in the opinion of the Port Authority shall be requisite for the proper operation of the deep water harbour as a private port, and as will comply with accepted international practice.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(3)

(3) Use their best endeavours to promote and encourage the establishment of factories and other industrial undertakings, and in particular factories, industrial undertakings, and industries which will make use of the natural resources and products available at Hawksbill Creek such as limestone rock and pine timber, within: (a) The area comprising the said Fifty thousand acres of Crown land to be leased by the Crown to the Port Authority; (b) The said Eighty acres of land to be purchased by the Port Authority from private owners; and (c) Such part of the said Fourteen hundred and Twenty acres of land as the Port Authority may purchase from private owners within Three years from the date of this Agreement; all of which including the Port Project are hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Port Area” which term shall include such other lands situate on the said Island of Grand Bahama and lying Eastwardly of a line drawn across the said Island North and South at a point Three miles West of the West bank of Hawksbill Creek where it joins the Sea on the South side of the said Island as may be purchased by the Port Authority during the continuance of this Agreement and are declared to be a part of the Port Area by Order- in-Council published in the Official Gazette pursuant to the provisions of subclause (19) of clause 2 hereof.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(4)

(4) Undertake the responsibility of and for the administration and control of the deep water harbour, wharf, and other port facilities comprising the Port Project, and the laying out of the development of the Port Area and the administration and control thereof, and subject to the requirements of the industries establishment within the Port Area for loading and unloading of cargo vessels, use their best endeavours to provide dock space for passenger-carrying ships desiring to discharge passengers in the said deep-water harbour.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(5)

(5) Upon completion of the dredging and construction of the deep water harbour and wharf referred to in subclause (1) of this clause and upon the establishment of the first factory or industrial undertaking within the Port Area at their own expense in all respects: (a) Provide school rooms, school teachers, and educational facilities of a standard at least equal to that provided at the date of this Agreement by the Board of Education of the Colony in the Out Islands of the Colony and from time to time add to and extend the same so as to adequately serve all children of school age living within the Port Area and during the continuance of this Agreement operate and maintain such school rooms and educational facilities to a standard at least equal to that provided from time to time, by the said Board of Education in the Out Islands; (b) Provide the medical services and facilities consisting of not less than one qualified medical practitioner, one qualified trained nurse, a dispensary, X-ray equipment, and hospital facilities of not less than four beds all of a standard at least equal to that provided at the date of this Agreement by the Government in the said Out Islands, and from time to time add to and extend the same so as to adequately serve the population living within the Port Area and during the continuance of this Agreement operate and maintain such medical services and facilities in accordance with standard good medical and hospital practice; (c) Provide free of rent both living and office accommodations of a standard at least equal to that provided at the date of this Agreement by the Government in the said Out Islands for such officers and employees of the Government as the Government may station in the Port Area for the maintenance of law and order, the administration of justice, the general administration of Government, the collection of Customs Duties and other revenue and the administration of the Customs Department, the administration of the Immigration Department, Post Offices, and for such other purposes as may be mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Government and the Port Authority, and in connection therewith prepare the plans for such accommodations at their expense in consultation with the Government, such plans to be subject to the approval of the Government such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. (d) Reimburse the Government annually within Thirty days after the presentation of a detailed account of the same by the Government the annual cost to the Government of providing the services and administration activities referred to in paragraph (c) of this subclause plus Twenty-five per centum of such cost (such Twenty-five per centum being deemed to cover Government administrative overheads in New Provi- dence and elsewhere within the Colony) subject to the following provisos, namely: (i) That the salaries to be paid by the Government to the Public Officers and employees of the Government carrying out and administering the services referred to in paragraph (c) of this subclause shall be in accordance with the normal scale for Government salaries having regard to the location and the post filled; and (ii) That the Port Authority shall only be required to reimburse Government to the extent that Customs Duties and emergency taxes received by the Government in respect of goods entered or taken out of bond at the Port Area are less than the amount expended by Government plus the said Twenty-five per centum.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(6)

(6) Supply all Government offices and all living accommoda- tions provided for officers and employees of the Government within the Port Area pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (c) of subclause (5) of this clause with electrical current (and as and when other utilities are operated by the Port Authority within the Port Area, such other utilities) at rates to be mutually agreed upon between the Government and the Port Authority.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(7)

(7) If and when the Port Authority construct and operate any utilities within the Port Area, construct the same in a good, proper, and workmanlike manner having due regard for the safety of persons working and/or residing with the Port Area, and after construction operate the same in accordance with good operating practice and in a fit and proper manner having due regard for the safety of persons working and/or residing with the Port Area.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(8)

(8) If and when the Port Authority engage in aviation activities, operate the same in conformity with The Colonial Civil Aviation Order 1949 or any amendment or re-enactment thereof and The Colonial Air Navigation (Application of Act) Order 1952 or any amendment or re-enactment thereof and all orders, rules, and regulations made thereunder.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(9)

(9) Use their best endeavours to employ Bahamian-born persons within the Port Area, provided such Bahamian-born persons are available and are willing to work at competitive wages or salaries and, having regard to the persons available from time to time for such training and the standard of education and/or the degree of skill required for the positions to be filled, use their best endeavours to train Bahamian-born persons to fill positions of employment within the Port Area, and cause any person or company licensed by them to carry on any manufacturing, industrial, or other business, undertaking or enterprise within the Port Area to enter into covenants with the Port Authority in such licence in the same terms as the covenants contained in this subclause of this clause.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(10)

(10) Cause all buildings and structures erected within the Port Area and all machinery and apparatus installed in or about any such buildings and structures to be so built, installed and maintained so as to provide properly for the health and safety of employees and the general public, and for good public sanitation within the Port Area.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(11)

(11) Notify the Colonial Secretary of the Colony (hereinafter referred to as “the Colonial Secretary” promptly in writing of the date on which the dredging of the deep water harbour and the construction of the said wharf referred to in subclause (1) of this clause have been completed.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(12)

(12) Notify the Colonial Secretary in writing under their Common Seal within Thirty days after granting the same of the name and address within the Colony of any person or company licensed by them to carry on any manufacturing, industrial or other business, undertaking, or enterprise within the Port Area, together with brief particulars of the kind and nature of the business to be carried on by such licensee.

1955 Agreement, clause 1(13)

(13) Supply the Colonial Secretary within Three years and Six months from the date of this Agreement with proper survey plan of: (a) Hawksbill Creek; and (b) The said Fifty thousand acres of Crown land, the said Eighty acres of land purchased from private owners, and such parts of the said Fourteen hundred and Twenty acres of land as shall have been purchased by the Port Authority from private owners within Three years from the date of this Agreement.

1955 Agreement, clause 2

2. The Government hereby covenant with the Port Authority as follows:

1955 Agreement, clause 2(1)

(1) That all materials, supplies, and things of every kind and description (and without limiting the generality of the foregoing words, all equipment, building materials and sup- plies, factory plant and apparatus, replacement parts, spare parts, machine and hand tools, contractors’ plant, vehicles, vessels, petroleum products, and nuclear fission products), other than consumable stores as hereinafter defined, which in the opinion of the Port Authority are necessary for the dredging, construction, and erection (including excavations and demolitions in connection therewith), air-conditioning, equipping, fitting out, furnishing, landscaping, extension, completion, repair, maintenance, replacement, and operation of: (a) The Port Project; (b) All factories, warehouses, industrial, commercial, busi- ness, and other undertakings, office buildings, housing, and all other buildings and accommodations of every kind within the Port Area; (c) All roads, bridges, parks, and places of beautification and recreation laid out with the Port Area; (d) All utility undertakings within the Port Area; and (e) Any other undertaking or thing within the Port Area constructed, erected, or operated by the Port Authority or by any person or company licensed in writing by the Port Authority under their Common Seal to carry on any manufacturing, industrial, or other business, undertaking, or enterprise within the Port Area (hereinafter referred to as “Licensee”); (all of which works and things hereinafter referred to in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) hereof are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Port Area Devel- opment” may during the continuance of this Agreement be imported into the Colony purchased or taken out of bond therein by the Port Authority or by a Licensee free of all Customs Duties emergency taxes and all other duties and taxes now or hereafter levied, charged, or imposed by the Government upon the importation of goods into the Colony (hereinafter referred to as “Customs Duties”).

1955 Agreement, clause 2(2)

(2) That all materials, supplies, and things, whether raw, partly processed, or processed, or any combination thereof, of every kind and description (hereinafter called “the Manufacturing Supplies”), other than consumable stores as hereinafter defined, may during the continuance of this Agreement be imported into the Colony purchased or taken out of bond therein by the Port Authority or by a Licensee for the purposes of any manufacturing, industrial, or other business, undertaking, or enterprise (hereinafter referred to as “the Manufacturing Purposes”) within the Port Area (which said term “the Manufacturing Purposes” shall, without limiting the generality of the foregoing words, include manufacturing, processing in any way, assembling, exhibition, warehousing, storage, trans-shipment, unloading, loading, trucking, and stevedoring) free of all Customs Duties.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(3)

(3) That all materials, supplies, and things of every kind and description (hereinafter referred to as “the Administrative Supplies”), other than consumable stores as hereinafter defined, which in the opinion of the Port Authority are necessary for the operation and proper functioning of the administrative, educational, medical, and all other services carried on by the Port Authority within the Port Area (hereinafter referred to as “the Administrative Purposes”) may during the continuance of this Agreement be imported into the Colony purchased or taken out of bond therein by the Port Authority free of all Customs Duties.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(4)

(4) The conditions to be observed by the Port Authority or by a Licensee (hereinafter in this subclause referred to as “the Importer”) importing, purchasing, or taking out of bond within the Colony any of the Supplies, the Manufacturing Supplies, and the Administrative Supplies shall be as follows: (a) That a proper agent or officer of the Importer shall make a declaration before the Comptroller of Customs or before the Chief Revenue Officer of the Port where the Supplies, the Manufacturing Supplies, and the Adminis- trative Supplies or any of them enter the Colony or are purchased or taken out of bond therein or before any other person appointed for this purpose by the Govern- ment (hereinafter called “the Comptroller”) that the same are intended to be used solely for the Port Project, for the Port Area Development, for the Manufacturing Purposes, and for the Administrative Purposes (all and any of which said Port Project, Port Area Development, Manufacturing Purposes, and Administrative Purposes are sometimes in this subclause included in the term “the said Purposes”) or any of them, as the case may be; (b) That the Importer shall enter into a bond in the form set out in the Schedule hereto in double the amount of any Customs Duties which would ordinarily attach on the importation or taking out of bond thereof that the Supplies, the Manufacturing Supplies, and the Adminis- trative Supplies, or any of them as the case may be, shall not be used or applied otherwise than for the said Purposes or any of them; (c) That if any of the said Supplies, the Manufacturing Supplies, and the Administrative Supplies in respect of which such bond shall have been given shall be used or applied in breach of the conditions of the bond such articles shall be liable to be forfeited and may be seized and proceeded against in the same manner as goods liable to forfeiture under the Customs Regulations Act of the Colony or any Act passed in amendment thereto or in substitution therefor and in addition thereto the penalty of the bond may be recovered as liquidated damages; (d) If at any time the Importer or any person in whom the property in the Supplies, the Manufacturing Supplies, and the Administrative Supplies, or any of them as the case may be, shall be vested shall desire to use any of the said articles otherwise than for the said Purposes or any of them it shall be lawful for the Comptroller on payment of the several amounts of customs duties payable on such articles (or on so much thereof as the Comptroller shall consider reasonable) by a memorandum endorsed on the bond to cancel the same so far as it relates to such articles; (e) Upon production by the Importer to the Comptroller of a declaration made under oath by a director or officer of the Importer before a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public that the Supplies, the Manufacturing Supplies, and the Administrative Supplies or any of them have actually been so used for the said Purposes, or any of them, or have been exported from the Colony either in their original state or in a different state resulting from the manufacture, processing, or assembly thereof in any way it shall be lawful for the Comptroller (if satisfied that such declaration is true and correct) to cancel any bond or bonds entered into by the Importer under the provisions of this subclause of this clause and in the case of any of the Supplies, the Manufacturing Supplies, and the Administrative Supplies purchased in the Colony to refund to the Importer thereof (if the Comptroller shall see fit) any Customs Duties which may have been paid on the importation thereof; and (f) Any person authorised by the Governor-in-Council shall have free access at all reasonable times to the Port Area and to any works being constructed in connection with the Port Project and/or the Port Area Development and to any manufacturing, industrial, or other business, undertaking, or enterprise being operated and carried on within the Port Area and may enter and stay and remain therein and have free access to every part thereof during reasonable business hours for the purpose of ascertaining whether the several articles admitted duty- free under this Agreement have been or are in the course of being duly used and applied to and for the said Purposes, or any of them, and as specified in the bond or bonds given in respect thereof.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(5)

(5) That for the purposes of this Agreement the term “consum- able stores” shall mean and include: (a) Any article or thing imported for the personal use of any person or made available after its importation for the personal use either by sale or gift or otherwise of any person, whether such person be employed or resident within the Port Area or not, Provided Always that sales of any articles or things for export outside of the Colony which are in fact exported from the Port Area to any place outside of the Colony and in respect of which a landing certificate from the port of destination is produced shall not be deemed to be consumable stores within the meaning of this Agreement; (b) Any article or thing imported into the Port Area and subsequently exported from the Port Area to any other part of the Colony, and any article or things assembled, processed, or manufactured within the Port Area and subsequently exported from the Port Area to any other part of the Colony, except pine lumber or products consisting of or made out of pine lumber or pine timber processed or manufactured within the Port Area out of pine timber grown on the said Island of Grand Bahamas and (c) Any article or thing sold to the passengers, officers or crew of any ship, vessel or yacht landing at the Port Area, Provided always that ships’ stores and supplies including fuel and bunker supplies and all things whatsoever connected with the servicing of ships sold by the Port Authority or any Licensee within the Port Area to any vessel of 1500 nett tons or more shall not be deemed to be consumable stores within the meaning of this Agreement.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(6)

(6) That for Thirty years from the date of this Agreement no real property taxes or rates and no real property levies (whether capital or periodic) of any kind shall be levied charged or collected by the Government within the Port Area or upon or against any land building or structure within the Port Area.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(7)

(7) That for Thirty years from the date of this Agreement no personal property taxes or rates and no capital levies and no taxes on capital gains or capital appreciation shall be levied charged or collected by the Government within the Port Area or upon or against any personal property within the Port Area or upon or against the shares, debentures or other securities of any company incorporated within or without the Colony and having its Registered Office and principal place of business within the Port Area, and for the purposes of this subclause of this clause the term “principal place of business” shall mean that place where not less than Eight per centum of the volume of a company’s business and trade within the Colony is transacted. Provided Always that the exemptions granted by this subclause shall extend only to personal property, shares, debentures or securities of the Port Authority or any Licensee actively engaged within the Port Area in one or more of the classes of business set out in subclause (23)(a) of clause 2 of this Agreement or in such other business or businesses as the Governor in Council, in his discretion, may from time to time approve.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(8)

(8) That for Thirty years from the date of this Agreement no taxes of any kind shall be levied upon or against the earnings of the Port Authority in the Port Area and outside the Colony or upon or against the earnings of a Licensee in the Port Area and outside the Colony or against any rentals or licence fees paid by any lessee or by a Licensee to the Port Authority or upon or against any interests or dividends paid by the Port Authority or by any lessee company of the Port Authority or by a Licensee to the holders of the evidences of indebtedness and/or shares or other securities of the Port Authority or of the company holding such lease from the Port Authority or of a Licensee or upon or against any salaries and remuneration by way of bonus participation in profits commission or otherwise paid by the Port Authority or by any lessee from the Port Authority or by a Licensee to any person employed by the Port Authority or by such lessee or by a Licensee within the Port Area, Provided that the person receiving such salary and/or remuneration is ordinarily resident within the Port Area.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(9)

(9) That during the continuance of this Agreement no excise taxes of any kind shall be levied charged or collected by the Government upon or against any goods articles or things (other than consumable stores) imported into the Port Area, manufactured, processed, assembled, or warehoused within the Port Area or exported from the Port Area to a place outside the Colony whether such importing, manufacturing, processing, assembling, warehousing, or exporting is done by the Port Authority or by a Licensee.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(10)

(10) That during the continuance of this Agreement no export taxes or levies or any kind shall be levied charged or collected by the Government on or in respect of any goods articles or things exported from the Port Area to any place outside of the Colony.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(11)

(11) That during the continuance of this Agreement no stamp or other taxes or levies shall be levied, charged or collected by the Government on or in respect of any monies remitted by banks in the Port Area to any place outside of the Colony on behalf of the Port Authority or any Licensee in respect of their own businesses within the Port Area. Provided that the onus will be upon the Port Authority or any Licensee, as the case may be, to satisfy the banks that the remittances are being made in respect of their own businesses within the Port Area.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(12)

(12) That the said deep water harbour and turning basin, and all other parts of the bed of Hawksbill Creek approximately delineated on that part which is coloured Pink of the said diagram or plan hereto attached marked “A”, and any and all extensions of the same which may from time to time be declared to be a part of the said deep water harbour by Order- in-Council published in the Official Gazette pursuant to the provisions of subclause (17) of this clause shall be a private port under the sole control and authority of the Port Authority; and without limiting the generality of the fore- going words it is hereby expressly declared that the Port Authority shall have and is hereby granted the power and authority to exclude or remove from the said private port any ship, vessel, boat, flying boat, or seaplane, other than any of Her Majesty’s ships, vessels, boats, flying boats, or seaplanes, and any ship, vessel, boat, flying boat, or seaplane belonging to or in the employ of the Government or the Government of the United Kingdom.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(13)

(13) That the Port Authority shall have the right to name the said private port and that upon the Port Authority notifying the Colonial Secretary in writing of such name the Government will use such name thereafter in all official publications, documents, notices, and correspondences.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(14)

(14) That the Port Authority shall have the responsibility of and for the administration and control of the Port Project and the laying out of the development of the Port Area (subject to the provisions as regards administration by the Government in this Agreement contained) the administration and control thereof.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(15)

(15) That all roads and bridges constructed by the Port Authority or any Licensee within the Port Area shall be deemed to be private roads and bridges and that the Port Authority shall have the absolute right to exclude any person and vehicle (other than an officer or employee or vehicle of the Government) from using the same, and to exclude any person (other than an officer or employee of the Government) from the Port Area or any part thereof without assigning any reason therefor.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(16)

(16) That upon the Port Authority submitting to the Colonial Secretary within Three years and Six Months from the date of this Agreement the proper survey plan of Hawksbill Creek after the completion of the said channel and the said turning basin in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of subclause (13) of clause 1 hereof to declare the same to be a private port by Order-in-Council published in the Official Gazette.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(17)

(17) That upon the Port Authority from time to time submitting to the Colonial Secretary proper survey plans of any proposed extensions of the said private port from time to time forthwith to declare such extensions to comprise extensions and parts of the said private port by Order-in- Council published in the Official Gazette.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(18)

(18) That upon the Port Authority submitting to the Colonial Secretary within Three years and Six months from the date of this Agreement the proper survey plan or plans of the said Fifty thousand acres of Crown land, the said Eighty acres of land purchased from private owners, and such parts of the said Fourteen hundred and Twenty acres of land as shall have been purchased by the Port authority from private owners within Three years from the date of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of subclause

1955 Agreement, clause 2(13)

(13) of clause 1 hereof, forthwith to declare the said lands delineated on such survey plan or plans to be the Port Area within the meaning of this Agreement by Order-in-Council published in the Official Gazette.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(19)

(19) That upon the Port Authority from time to time submitting to the Colonial Secretary proper survey plans of any additional land purchased either from the Crown or from private owners situate on the said Island of Grand Bahama and lying Eastwardly of a line drawn across the said Island North and South at a point three miles West of the West bank of Hawksbill Creek where` it joins the Sea on the South side of the said Island then, provided the Government shall deem the same to be in the best interests of the Colony, from time to time to declare such additional lands to be parts of the Port Area within the meaning of this Agreement by Order-in- Council published in the Official Gazette.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(20)

(20) That during the continuance of this Agreement the Port Authority or a Licensee shall have the right to bring into the Colony and to employ within the Port Area such key, trained, and/or skilled personnel as in the opinion of the Port Authority or of any Licensee (as the case may be) are necessary for the construction, operation, administration, and other purposes of the Port Project, of the Port Development Area, for the Manufacturing Purposes, for the Administrative Purposes, and for the purposes of any and all other businesses, undertakings, and enterprises carried on within the Port Area by the Port Authority or by any Licensee and that the Government will not withhold permission for the entry of such key, trained, and/or skilled personnel into the Colony AND the terms “key, trained, and/or skilled personnel” used in this subclause of this clause shall be deemed to mean and include the family and dependants of any such key, trained, and/or skilled personnel, and Provided Always that the Government reserve the right on grounds of personal undesirability (a) to withhold permission for any individual to enter the Colony, and (b) to compel any individual to leave the Colony.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(21)

(21) That subject to the provisions of subclause (10) of clause 1 hereof only, the Port Authority shall have the sole right to construct and operate utilities (and without limiting the generality of the foregoing word “utilities”, in particular electrical supply, gas supply, water supply, telephone and sewerage disposal system) within the Port Area, and the necessary distribution systems in connection therewith, and that no licence or other permission or authority shall be required by the Port Authority from the Government or any department thereof in connection therewith, and that (subject to the provisions of subclause (6) of clause 1 hereof) the Port Authority shall have the authority to and may charge such rates or other charges for such utilities or any of them as the Port Authority shall in its absolute discretion deem fit and proper, Provided Always that all electrical supply installations made by the Port Authority or by any Licensee within the Port Area shall comply with the provisions of the Canadian Standards Association Canadian Electrical Code.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(22)

(22) That subject to the provisions of subclause (10) of clause 1 hereof only the Port Authority shall have the sole right from time to time and at all times during the continuance of this Agreement to plan, lay out, and vary the development of the Port Area in such manner as the Port Authority shall in their absolute discretion deem fit and proper and that neither the Port Authority nor any Licensee shall during the continuance of this Agreement require any building or other permit from the Government or any department thereof for any excava- tion and,/or for the erection or demolition of any building or other structure within the Port Area, or for the installation, operation, maintenance, or removal of any machinery, plant, equipment, or other apparatus in or about any buildings and/or structures within the Port Area.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(23)

(23) That subject to the provisions of subclause (10) of clause l hereof only the Port Authority and any licensee shall have the right: (a) To carry on and engage in all branches any manufactur- ing, shipbuilding, lumbering, engineering, building con- struction, civil engineering, contracting, warehousing, storing, assembling, processing, chemical refining, repair- ing, and servicing business or undertaking, any business or undertaking of storing and supplying petroleum and fuel products and marine supplies, any business or undertaking relating to the exhibition or display of goods and manufactures for sale (including the operation of a “trade fair”, and any business or undertaking of trucking or transporting passengers and freight, stevedoring, and handling of freight, within the Port Area during the continuance of this Agreement without having to obtain any permit or licence therefor or in respect thereof from the Government or any department thereof or any licensing Authority thereof, any present laws and regula- tions of the Colony and the enactment of future laws or regulations within the Colony to the contrary notwith- standing; and (b) To carry on and engage in any other lawful business or undertaking (other than those referred to in paragraph (a) of this subclause of this clause) within the Port Area during the continuance of this Agreement without having to obtain any permit therefore or in respect thereof from the Government or any department thereof, provided Always that if any law or regulation for the time being in force in the Colony shall require that the person intending to carry on any such other business or undertaking shall first obtain a licence therefor, then and in that case such licence shall be first applied for and obtained in the normal manner and as if such other business or under- taking was not to be carried on within the Port Area, and Provided Further that if the person applying for such licence shall be refused the grant thereof within the Port Area then such person shall not carry on or engage in such business in respect of which such licence shall have been refused within the Port Area.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(24)

(24) To alter the position of any public road or bridge within the Port Area the position of which in the opinion of the Port Authority as certified to the Colonial Secretary in writing conflicts in any way with any proposed lay out and/or development of the Port Area by the Port Authority or by any Licensee and to convey or cause to be conveyed the land over which such road or bridge runs to the Port Authority in fee simple for a nominal consideration provided that the Port Authority at the same time convey to the Government or to any board or department thereof nominated in writing by the Government also for a nominal consideration the bed of any new road or bridge within the Port Area required by the Government to replace the road or bridge so conveyed to the Port Authority and provided that the cost of constructing such new road or bridge shall be borne by and paid for by the Port Authority.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(25)

(25) (a) That the Port Authority shall have the right from time to time and at any time during the continuance of this Agreement to establish, maintain, and operate wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems with the Port Area for communication within the Port Area and with vessels at sea or entering the said Port subject to obtaining the necessary licence or licences therefor or in respect thereof from the Telecommunications Department of the Colony, the granting of such licence or licences not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. (b) That if at any time during the continuance of this Agreement the Port Authority shall desire to establish, maintain, and operate wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems within the Port Area for communica- tion with other parts of the Colony, with the United States of America, and with the rest of the World, the Port Authority may, at their own expense, in all respects, construct and complete such wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems within the Port Area Provided that the same are constructed to specifications laid down by the Telecommunications Department of the Colony and upon completion are approved by the said Tele- communications Department such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, subject to the follow- ing terms and conditions, namely: (i) That upon completion the said wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems shall be turned over to and become the property of the Telecommunications Department, and thereafter shall be maintained, operated, and controlled by the Telecommunications Department; (ii) That the Port Authority shall reimburse the Govern- ment annually within Thirty days after the presenta- tion of a detailed account of the same by the Government the annual cost to the Government of maintaining and operating the said wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems plus Twenty-five per centum of such cost, credit being given for the net income (exclusive of any operating costs) therefrom; (iii) That if the net income from the operation of the said wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems (exclusive of any operating costs) shall exceed the cost of operating the said wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems plus Twenty-five per centum, then the excess shall be paid to the Port Authority until the costs of installation of the said wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems with interest thereon at five per centum per annum shall have been fully amortised; and (iv) That the same formula hereinbefore set out shall apply to all extensions of and additions to the said wireless telegraph and wireless telephone systems.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(26)

(26) In the event of the Government taking over the Port Area or the Port Project or any part thereof respectively or any installation therein at any time during the continuance of this Agreement in the event of war or warlike operations under any emergency powers or regulations to pay to the Port Authority reasonable charges for the use thereof and fair compensation for any and all damage reasonably attributable to such use.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(27)

(27) That upon the expiration of the said period of Thirty years referred to in subclauses (6), (7), and (8) of clause 2 of this Agreement then for the remainder of the term of this Agreement no taxes of the kind or nature referred to in the said subclauses (6), (7), and (8) of clause 2 hereof shall be levied, charged or collected by the Government within the Port Area at any greater rate than shall be levied charged and collected by the Government in any other part of the Colony; and that during the continuance of this Agreement no other taxes of any kind the levying, charging or collection of which are not excluded or prohibited for the said period of Thirty years by the provisions of subclauses (6), (7), and (8) of clause 2 hereof or for the duration of this Agreement by the provisions of subclauses (9), (10), and

1955 Agreement, clause 2(11)

(11) of clause 2 hereof shall be levied, charged or collected by the Government within the Port Area at any greater rate than shall be levied, charged or collected by the Government in any other part of the Colony.

1955 Agreement, clause 2(28)

(28) That during the continuance of this Agreement there will be no restrictions, regulations, or conditions, the making or imposition of which are not excluded or prohibited by the provisions hereinbefore contained, made or imposed by the Government affecting the Port Area or any business, under- taking or enterprise carried on therein differently from the rest of the Colony and which thereby discriminate against the Port Area or any such business, undertaking, or enterprise carried on therein when compared with the rest of the Colony, and that there will be no legislation enacted, the enactment of which is not excluded or prohibited by the provisions hereinbefore contained which affects the Port Area or any business, undertaking, or enterprise carried on therein differently from the rest of the Colony and which thereby discriminates against the Port Area or any such business, undertaking, or enterprise carried on therein AND if any such restriction, regulation, or condition is made or imposed or if any such legislation is enacted which in effect affects only the Port Area and/or any business, undertaking, or enterprise carried on therein, the question of whether such restriction, regulation, condition, or legislation is in fact discriminatory against the Port Area or any business, undertaking, or enterprise carried on therein shall at the request in writing of the Port Authority be submitted to arbitration as herein- after provided for determination.

1955 Agreement, clause 3

3. It is hereby mutually agreed as follows:

1955 Agreement, clause 3(1)

(1) This Agreement shall continue in force for the period of Ninety-nine years from the date hereof provided always that if the Port Authority shall fail to carry out and complete the covenants on their part contained in subclause (1) of clause 1 hereof within Three years from the date of this Agreement then upon the expiration of Three years from the date hereof this Agreement shall cease and become null and void and of no effect, and neither party hereto shall be liable in any way to the other party hereto in respect of anything herein contained.

1955 Agreement, clause 3(2)

(2) That upon the expiration of this Agreement nothing herein contained shall be deemed to make the Port Authority liable to pay to the Government any payment in respect of any matter or thing done, executed, or happening prior to the date of the expiration of this Agreement in respect of which payment is hereby waived.

1955 Agreement, clause 3(3)

(3) That if at any time or times during the continuance of this Agreement the Port Authority or any Licensee shall require any unskilled workmen or labourers for employment within the Port Area which the Port Authority or such Licensee is unable to recruit within the Port Area then the following terms and conditions shall apply, namely: (a) The Port Authority either for themselves or on behalf of such Licensee shall notify the Colonial Secretary in writing of the number of such workmen or labourers required; (b) Upon receipt of such notice by the Colonial Secretary the Government shall forthwith endeavour to recruit the number of workmen or labourers specified in such notice; (c) If within Thirty days after receipt of such notice by the Colonial Secretary the Government have been unable to recruit the total number of workmen or labourers specified in such notice, the Colonial Secretary shall forthwith notify the Port Authority in writing of the number of workmen or labourers which the Government have been able to recruit; (d) Upon receipt of such notice from the Colonial Secretary the Port Authority or any Licensee shall have the right subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter mentioned to bring into the Colony and to employ within the Port Area such number of workmen or labourers as the Government were unable to recruit and the Government will not withhold permission for the entry of such workmen or labourers into the Colony; (e) No workmen or labourers recruited outside of the Colony by the Port Authority or by any Licensee shall be contracted for for any longer period than Three years provided always that with the consent of Government the contract of any workman or labourer may be renewed Provided further that no renewal contract shall be for a longer period than Three years; (f) Upon the admission into the Colony of any workmen or labourers recruited outside of the Colony under the provisions of this subclause of this clause the Port Authority or the Licensee (as the case may be) shall enter into a bond with the Government in the amount of the cost of the return journey transportation of such work- men or labourers from the Colony to the place where they were recruited plus reasonable travelling expenses for such return journey; (g) The Government reserve the right to inquire into the antecedents, character, and all other matters and things concerning any workman or labourer recruited by the Port Authority or by any Licensee outside of the Colony; (h) The Port Authority hereby undertake to reimburse the Government on demand all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the Government in and about any such inquiry or inquiries; (i) The Government reserve the right on grounds of personal undesirability to withhold permission for any individual recruited by the Port Authority or by a Licensee outside of the Colony to enter the Colony provided that due notice of such undesirability shall have been given in writing by the Government to the Port Authority prior to the departure of such individual from the place where such recruitment takes place for the Colony, and the Government reserve the right on grounds of personal undesirability at any time to require any workman or labourer recruited outside the Colony to leave the Colony; and (j) In this subclause of this clause the terms “workman” and “labourer” shall be deemed to mean and include the family and dependants of any such workman or labourer.

1955 Agreement, clause 3(4)

(4) The Government shall have the power by Order in Council published in the Official Gazette to prohibit the sale in any part of the Colony outside of the Port Area of any particular product manufactured, processed, partly processed, as- sembled, or otherwise produced within the Port Area except pine lumber or products consisting of or made out of pine lumber or pine timber processed or manufactured within the Port Area out of pine timber grown on the said Island of Grand Bahama.

1955 Agreement, clause 3(5)

(5) That nothing in this Agreement contained shall be deemed to give to the Port Authority or to any Licensee any rights, facilities, or privileges in the Colony outside of the Port Area.

1955 Agreement, clause 3(6)

(6) That the penalty for any breach of this Agreement by the Port Authority or by any lessee company of the Port Authority or by any Licensee (other than the covenant on the part of the Port Authority contained in subclause (1) of clause 1 hereof) shall be in damages only which shall be fixed by mutual agreement by the Port Authority and the Government and in default of agreement shall be determined by arbitration as hereinafter provided, Provided Always that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve an Importer as detailed in subclause (4) of clause 2 hereof from the penalties of any bond entered into pursuant to the provisions of that subclause.

1955 Agreement, clause 3(7)

(7) The Port Authority will not assign their rights under this Agreement without the consent in writing of the Government, Provided Always that nothing in this subclause contained shall be deemed to prevent or restrict in any way the Port Authority licensing any person, firm, or company to carry on any lawful business, undertaking, or enterprise within the Port Area on such terms and conditions as the Port Authority shall in their absolute discretion deem fit and proper subject only to the provisions hereinbefore contained.

1955 Agreement, clause 3(8)

(8) That in the interpretation of this Agreement words importing the singular number only shall include the plural number and vice versa, and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender.

1955 Agreement, clause 3(9)

(9) That all questions or differences whatsoever which may at any time hereafter arise between the parties hereto or their respective representatives touching these presents or the subject matter thereof or arising out of or in relation thereto respectively and whether as to construction or otherwise shall be referred to arbitration pursuant to the provisions of The Arbitration Act 1950 of the United Kingdom and any statutory modification thereof for the time being in force (which Act shall be deemed to have effect for the purposes of this subclause notwithstanding subclause (10) of this clause).

1955 Agreement, clause 3(10)

(10) That this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the laws of the Bahama Islands. THE SCHEDULE HEREINBEFORE REFERRED TO DRAFT BOND THE BAHAMAS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that (Insert name, address, and description of bondsman). is/are held and firmly bound unto Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other realms and territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, in the sum of ..................................................................... pounds of good and lawful money of the Colony of the Bahama Islands, to be paid to Her Majesty, Her heirs and successors: to which payment well and truly to be made, the said ........................................................................................................ Strike out words .......................................................................... is/are bound for heirs, executors and in the whole my/our heirs, executors, administrators and and administra- assigns and every one of them, firmly by these presents. tors if executed by a body Sealed with my/our seal. Dated this .......................... day of corporate. ......................................... in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and .......................................... Whereas the above bounden ...............................................Has imported or/taken out of Bond Have imported or/taken out of Bond the Following Goods: .................................................................... is/are desirous of entering into a Bond in respect of the said Goods in pursuance of an Agreement made the ........................................ of .................... 19 ...... Between The Right Honourable The Earl of Ranfurly Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Bahama Islands for and on behalf of the Government of the Bahama Islands of the one part And the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited of the other part. Now the condition of this obligation is such, that if the goods as aforesaid are used for the purposes set out in subclause (4)(a) of clause 2 of the said Agreement or are exported from the Colony in their original state or in a different state resulting from manufacturing, processing, assembling, or otherwise dealing with the same then this obligation to be void, or else to remain in full force and virtue. Sealed and delivered in the presence of ...................................................... IN WITNESS WHEREOF, etc. PLAN No. 707A The area with a bold outline appears on the original plan in Pink HAWKSBILL CREEK, GRAND BAHAMA (DEEP WATER HARBOUR AND INDUSTRIAL AREA

Hawksbill Creek (Amendment of Agreement) (No. 2) Act 1965 (Chapter 263)

Hawksbill Creek (Amendment of Agreement) (No. 2) Act 1965 (Chapter 263)

HAWKSBILL CREEK, GRAND BAHAMA (DEEP WATER HARBOUR AND INDUSTRIAL AREA) (AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT) (NO. 2) An Act to authorise the entering into of an agreement 48 of 1965 with The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited, further amending and extending the existing agreements with that company dated the 4th day of August, A.D., 1955 and the 11th day of July, A.D., 1960 respectively. [Commencement 11th September, 1965]

Hawksbill Creek (Amendment of Agreement) (No. 2) Act 1965 (Chapter 263), section 2

2. The Governor-General is hereby authorised, at Governor- any time within six months after the coming into operation General authorised to of this Act, to enter into an Agreement, substantially in the enter into form set out in the Schedule hereto, with The Grand Agreement. Bahama Port Authority, Limited, a Company incorporated in the Colony.

Hawksbill Creek (Amendment of Agreement) (No. 2) Act 1965 (Chapter 263), section 3

3. The Public Seal of the Colony shall be affixed to Agreement to be the said Agreement and the same shall be signed by the sealed with Public Seal. Governor on behalf of the Government of the Colony.

1966 Agreement (Hawksbill Creek (Amendment of Agreement) (No. 2) Act 1965 (Chapter 263))

1966 Agreement, recitals

BAHAMA ISLANDS NEW PROVIDENCE THIS AGREEMENT made the ................................. day of ....................................... A.D., 1965 BETWEEN His Excellency Sir Ralph Francis Alnwick Grey, Knight Grand Cross of The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of The Royal Victorian Order, Officer of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Governor and Commander- in-Chief in and over the Bahama Islands acting for and on behalf of the Government of the Bahama Islands (who and whose successors in office for the time being are hereinafter referred to and included in the term “the Government”) of the one part AND The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited a company incorporated under the laws of the said Bahama Islands and carrying on business in the Colony (hereinafter referred to as “The Port Authority” which expression where the context so admits shall include their assigns) of the other part WHEREAS: (a) This Agreement is supplemental to an Agreement 1 (hereinafter referred to as “the Principal Agreement”) dated the Fourth day of August, A.D., 1955 and made between His Excellency the Honourable Anthony Geoffrey Hopwood Gardner-Brown, Acting Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Bahama Islands of the one part and the Port Authority of the other part now of record in the Registry of Records of the Bahama Islands in Volume 8 (New Series) at pages 447 to 479 which said Principal Agreement was amended and extended by a Supplemental Agreement2 (hereinafter referred to as “the Supplemental Agreement”) dated the Eleventh day of July, A.D., 1960 and made between His Excellency Sir Robert de Stapledon Stapledon Governor and Commander-in- Chief in and over the Bahama Islands acting for and on behalf of the Government of the Bahama Islands of the one part and the Port Authority of the other part now of record in the said Registry of Records in Volume 353 at pages 186 to 360 inclusive; (b) The Port Authority (as the Government hereby acknowledges) have duly fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Government the obligations contained in subclause (1) of clause 1 of the Supplemental Agreement to construct and furnish or to cause to be constructed and furnished a first class de luxe resort hotel containing not less than Two hundred (200) bedrooms with all reasonable amenities within the Port Area (as that expression is used in the Principal Agreement) and have up to the date hereof duly operated the same or caused the same to be operated in accordance with the standards prescribed by the said subclause (1) and have otherwise duly observed and performed all their other obligations in or in respect of the Principal Agreement as amended by the Supplemental Agreement; (c) The Port Authority have on their part agreed to enter into the covenants hereinafter contained relating to the construction of housing accommodation schools and medical clinics and the provision of water electricity and other utility services; (d) The Government is satisfied that it is desirable for the purposes of encouraging and facilitating further development in the Island of Grand Bahama and of ensuring the proper and efficient administration thereof that the provisions of the Principal Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement should be amended in the manner hereinafter appearing and that such further agreements should be made as are hereinafter con- tained; and See Ch. 261. See Ch. 262. (e) Up to the date hereof the total number of Licensees within the meaning of paragraph (c) of subclause (1) of clause 2 of the Principal Agreement is not more than Five hundred and Sixty (560) and the persons and Companies whose names are contained in the First Schedule hereto amount to not less than four-fifths (4/5ths) in number of the said Licensees and such persons and Companies in pursuance of subclause (8) of clause 3 of the Principal Agreement have consented to the amendments to the Principal Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement hereinafter contained and the other provisions of these presents in witness whereof the said persons have severally set their hands and seals and the seals of the several Companies have been duly affixed hereto or upon true certified copies of the text of these presents which copies have been deposited with the Government and are now of record in the said Registry of Records in Volume ..................... at pages .........................; NOW THIS AGREEMENT made in consideration of the premises WITNESSETH as follows:

1966 Agreement, clause 1

1. The Port Authority hereby covenant with the Government that unless prevented from so doing by Act of God, insurrection, riot, civil, commotion, war or warlike operations, strikes, lockouts, force majeure, or any unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances which may be reasonably considered to be beyond the control of the Port Authority (including the inability of the Port Authority to obtain or employ the necessary labour or to obtain or secure the necessary materials) —

1966 Agreement, clause 1(1)

(1) Subject to the conditions hereinafter provided the Port Authority will construct or procure the construction of dwelling houses in the Port Area of such a type as will afford suitable accommodation for families of low and middle class income groups to the intent that such dwelling houses shall be sold to persons wishing to own and occupy the same such dwelling houses to be erected on such site or sites and be of such size and design and to be provided with such services and amenities as the Port Authority shall from time to time decide subject to the prior approval of the Minister for Housing which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Conditions attaching to this covenant are that: (a) the liability of the Port Authority hereunder shall be limited to the erection of One thousand (1,000) dwelling houses provided always that if it should appear that there is a demand by persons of the said income groups wishing to own and occupy dwelling houses of the type aforesaid in excess of the figure of One thousand (1,000) the Port Authority at the request of the Minister for Housing would be prepared to consider the erection of such further dwelling houses as may be reasonably necessary to meet such demand; (b) the said dwelling houses shall be erected and completed from time to time in such numbers as may reasonably be necessary to meet the current demand by persons of the said income groups for the purchase of such dwelling houses in the Port Area the first Two hundred (200) of such dwelling houses to be erected and completed within Eighteen (18) months from the date of these presents; and (c) in regard to any dwelling house to be erected hereunder the Port Authority or any company nominated by them may be approved by the Minister for Housing as a lender and also as a builder for the purposes of The Housing Act 1960 or any Act amending or replacing the same. For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this clause “dwelling house” means a house which provides facilities for living, sleeping, eating, food preparation and sanitation for one family being facilities which are not designed to be shared with the occupants of any other house.

1966 Agreement, clause 1(2)

(2) The Port Authority will give the Government written notice at least once every Six (6) months of the number and location of the dwelling houses referred to in subclause (1) of this clause the construction of which has been commenced or completed since the immediately preceding notice and will so far as reasonably possible make available for purchase (at the going prices thereof) such of the said dwelling houses as may be required for occupation by any Headmaster or Assistant Headmaster or other teacher for the time being employed in any school or are required by the Government for occupation by persons for the time being in the whole time employment of the Government for government purposes (which expression shall have the same meaning as in paragraph (c) of subclause

1966 Agreement, clause 1(5)

(5) of clause 1 of the Principal Agreement as substituted by clause 6 hereof).

1966 Agreement, clause 1(3)

(3) If the Minister for Education shall: (a) within One (1) year after the date of these presents give to the Port Authority written notice (hereinafter called the “First Notice”) that he requires one of the following namely either (i) the construction of One (1) primary school providing reasonable accommodation for the instruction of not less than Eight hundred (800) children either within the Port Area or within the area (hereinafter in this clause called “the Specified Area”) comprising the Settlements in the Island of Grand Bahama known as Pinder's Point Lewis Yard and Hunter's or (ii) the construction of Two (2) primary schools each providing reasonable accommodation for the instruction of not less than Four hundred (400) children and one to be either within the Port Area or within the Specified Area and the other to be either within or without the Port Area; and/or (b) at any time within Ten (10) years after the date of these presents give to the Port Authority written notice (hereinafter called “the Second Notice”) that he requires the construction of a further primary school within the Port Area providing reasonable accommodation For the instruction of not less than four hundred (400) children, then the Port Authority will thereupon construct or procure the construction of such schools in accordance with the following provisions namely: (A) Each school required to be within the Port Area shall be on a site to be mutually agreed between the Minister for Education and the Port Authority and to be of such area and situation as reasonably to provide for the future expansion of the school with all amenities usually provided by the Government for a primary school including playing-fields (for use jointly by all schools in the Port Area); (B) Each school required to be otherwise than within the Port Area shall be on a site to be provided by the Minister for Education; and (C) The construction of the school or schools referred to in the First Notice shall be completed within Eighteen

1966 Agreement, clause 1(18)

(18) months from the receipt by the Port Authority of the First Notice and the school referred to in the Second Notice shall be constructed and completed with due diligence after the receipt by the Port Authority of the Second Notice and (in the case of every school) in accordance with plans to be approved by the Minister for Education (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) and in accordance with standards at least equal to those of the Four (4) secondary schools at the date of these presents under construction for the Minister of Education in the Island of New Providence. And upon completion of any such school as aforesaid within the Port Area the Port Authority will lease or procure to be leased the same and the sites thereof to the Government upon the terms and conditions specified in the said paragraph (c) of subclause (5) of clause 1 of the Principal Agreement as substituted by clause 6 hereof.

1966 Agreement, clause 1(4)

(4) The Port Authority will forthwith commence and with due diligence complete the construction of a further primary school providing reasonable accommodation for the instruction of not less than Two hundred (200) children in an area in the Island of Grand Bahama between the Settlement of Holmes Rock on the West and the Western bank of Hawksbill Creek on the East on a site to be provided by the Minister for Education such school to be built in accordance with the same standards as are referred to in subclause

1966 Agreement, clause 1(3)

(3) of this clause Provided that if either (a) the Government shall after the First day of June, A.D., 1965 have itself commenced to construct a school within such area as aforesaid providing accommodation for the instruction of not less than Two hundred (200) children or (b) the Government shall after the date of these presents decide itself to construct such a school and shall notify the Port Authority in writing of such decision then (i) the obligation of the Port Authority under this present subclause to construct a school shall thereupon cease and (ii) upon the completion of such a school by the Government the Port Authority will pay to the Government as a contribution towards the cost thereof a sum equal to whichever is the smaller of (A) the sum of Seventeen thousand pounds (£17,000) and (B) a fraction of the cost of constructing the last mentioned school the numerator of which is Two hundred (200) and the denominator of which is the number of children for the instruction of which such school was designed.

1966 Agreement, clause 2

2. The Port Authority hereby further covenant with the Government that:

1966 Agreement, clause 2(1)

(1) The Port Authority will provide and lease to the Government (upon the terms and conditions specified in the said paragraph (c) of subclause (5) of clause 1 of the Principal Agreement as substituted by clause 6 hereof) a site in Freeport of such area (not exceeding Ten (10) acres) as the Government shall require (hereinafter called “the Medical Purposes Site”) for the erection thereon by the Government of a medical clinic and a doctor's residence and other purposes connected with the provision of medical facilities within the Port Area.

1966 Agreement, clause 2(2)

(2) Upon the completion of the construction of the said clinic and doctor's residence on the Medical Purposes Site within Five (5) years after the date hereof the Port Authority will pay to the Government a sum equal to the costs of such construction up to (but not exceeding) the sum of Twenty thousand pounds (£20,000).

1966 Agreement, clause 2(3)

(3) If the Government shall within Five (5) years after the date hereof construct and complete at the Eight Mile Rock Settlement in the said Island of Grand Bahama a clinic and doctor's residence the Port Authority will pay to the Government a sum equal to the costs of such construction up to but not exceeding the sum of Twenty thousand pounds (£20,000).

1966 Agreement, clause 2(4)

(4) The Port Authority will procure the laying of an Eight (8) inch water main from the existing water supply system in the Port Area to the point marked “A” on the plan hereto annexed and will procure the provision through such main of such water as is required by the said Eight Mile Rock Settlement up to but not exceeding a quantity of One hundred thousand (100,000) gallons of water per day AND subject always (i) to the availability of supplies of potable ground water within the Port Area (ii) to meeting the requirements of water consumers within the Port Area and (iii) to adequate advance notice being given by the Government to the Port Authority from time to time so as to enable the Port Authority to provide the facilities necessary for the production of such increased amount of water as may be specified in such notice the Port Authority will use their best endeavours to provide such further amounts of potable water as may be required by the said Settlement all water supplied under the provisions of this subclause to be charged for at the price of Six shillings (6/-) per One thousand (1,000) gallons Provided that such price may from time to time be increased in such manner that the price at any given time shall bear the same relation to Six Shillings (6/-) per One thousand (1,000) gallons as the cost and expenses of producing water and passing it through the said main to the said point “A” at such given time bears to the same costs and expenses at the date when the said main is laid and commences to be used such respective costs and expenses to be ascertained and conclusively certified by Messrs. Price Waterhouse & Co. of Trade Winds Building in the City of Nassau or some other reputable firm of Chartered Accountants nominated by the Port Authority and approved by the Government (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld).

1966 Agreement, clause 2(5)

(5) The Port Authority will procure the provision of a supply of water (not in excess of Twenty-five thousand (25,000) gallons per day) from the existing water supply system in the Port Area to the point marked “B” on the said plan hereto annexed for the purposes of supplying the area comprising the Settlements in the said Island of Grand Bahama known as Pinder's Point Lewis Yard and Hunters at the same price (and liable to be increased in the same manner) as is specified in the last preceding subclause hereof.

1966 Agreement, clause 2(6)

(6) The Port Authority will pay to the Government the sum of Ten thousand pounds (£10,000) towards the costs of any town planning work carried out by the Government in the said area in the Island of Grand Bahama between the Settlement of Holmes Rock on the West and the Western bank of Hawksbill Creek on the East.

1966 Agreement, clause 2(7)

(7) The Port Authority will not without the previous written consent of the Government either (a) release Colonial Research Institute (a company also incorporated under the laws of the said Bahama Islands) from any of its obligations under an Agreement dated the First day of October, A.D., 1962 and made between the Port Authority of the one part and the said Colonial Research Institute of the other part now of record in the said Registry of Records in Volume 878 at pages 436 to 454 inclusive or (b) revoke or terminate the Lease granted to the said Colonial Research Institute pursuant to the provisions of the said Agreement.

1966 Agreement, clause 3

3. The Port Authority hereby further covenant with the Government that —

1966 Agreement, clause 3(1)

(1) The Port Authority will continue to promulgate a comprehen- sive and detailed Building Code applicable to the Port Area and will revise the same from time to time in the light of technical developments and the changing needs of the community.

1966 Agreement, clause 3(2)

(2) Such Building Code shall contain regulations for the purpose of establishing and maintaining proper and appropriate standards of building constructions and layouts in the Port Area and for the prior submission and approval of plans and specifications for such constructions, and shall make appropriate provisions for the disposal of sewage until such time as a general sewage disposal system is available in any area, for the proper siting and use of wells and water supply and distribution systems for the purpose (inter alia) of preventing contamination of water supplies, and for such other matters as the Port Authority reasonably consider necessary or desirable to ensure the general welfare of the community.

1966 Agreement, clause 3(3)

(3) The Port Authority will continue or cause to be continued the operation in the Port Area of garbage collection and disposal facilities.

1966 Agreement, clause 3(4)

(4) The Port Authority will keep all drainage ditches at the date hereof or hereafter provided by them in any part of the Port Area in a proper condition and state of repair as long as the same are currently in use.

1966 Agreement, clause 3(5)

(5) The Port Authority will procure that all water supply systems in the Port Area directly or indirectly under their control are from time to time inspected and are safeguarded against contamination.

1966 Agreement, clause 3(6)

(6) The Port Authority will at all times take such steps as they in the reasonable exercise of their discretion consider expedient and practical to expand and extend water supply systems in the Port Area directly or indirectly under their control and to encourage and assist (by making available easements, way- leaves and other like facilities) the provision and distribution in the Port Area of adequate supplies of electricity.

1966 Agreement, clause 3(7)

(7) The Port Authority will co-operate with the Government for the purposes of pest control and elimination by providing such means of access within the Port Area as are reasonably available and making such provisions in the said Building Code as may from time to time be mutually agreed by the Government and the Port Authority for such purposes Provided Always (and it is hereby agreed) that the Port Authority and any utility company or corporation shall be entitled to make charges in connection with the supply and distribution of water and electricity sewage disposal systems and garbage collection and disposal facilities.

1966 Agreement, clause 4

4. Paragraph (a) of subclause (5) of clause 1 of the Principal Agreement as amended by subclause (3) of clause 2 of the Supplemental Agreement is hereby revoked provided always that nothing herein contained shall affect the right of the Port Authority and any corporation institution or body for the time being authorised by them during the continuance of the Principal Agreement to provide educational instruction and facilities (primary or otherwise) within the Port Area as they deem fit and to charge and collect from individuals who or whose children receive any such educational instruction or facilities reasonable fees in respect thereof.

1966 Agreement, clause 5

5. Paragraph (b) of subclause (5) of clause 1 of the Principal Agreement as amended by subclause (4) of clause 2 of the Supplemental Agreement is hereby revoked provided always that nothing herein contained shall affect the right of the Port Authority or any corporation institution or other body for the time being authorised by them during the continuance of the Principal Agreement to provide operate and maintain such medical services and facilities within the Port Area as they deem fit and to charge and collect from individuals who or whose children receive any such medical services and facilities as aforesaid reasonable fees in respect thereof.

1966 Agreement, clause 6

6. Paragraph (c) of subclause (5) of clause 1 of the Principal Agreement is hereby revoked and the following is substituted therefor: “(c) Provide and lease to the Government or procure to be so provided and leased any area of vacant land (as that term is hereinafter defined) within the Port Area which the Government may need within the Port Area for government purposes (as that term is hereinafter defined) subject to the area of any parcel of such land and its location being in all the circumstances reasonably related to the needs of the Government. The terms and conditions of any such lease granted under this paragraph of this subclause shall be mutually agreed between the Government and the Port Authority save that unless the parties otherwise agree every such lease shall provide and be subject to the following terms and conditions that is to say: (i) the premises shall be occupied and used solely for government purposes; (ii) in the event of the Government failing for a continuous period of Twelve (12) months during the currency of the lease to occupy and use the premises solely for government purposes the lease shall thereupon be determined; (iii) the lease shall be for a term of Nine hundred and ninety- nine (999) years at a yearly rental of One shilling (1/-); (iv) during the continuance of the Principal Agreement the Government shall maintain the demised land in a clean and sanitary condition and any buildings erected thereon in a state of good repair; (v) after the determination of the Principal Agreement the Government shall be under no obligation to maintain in a state of good repair any buildings on the demised land or to surrender them at the determination of the lease in a state of good repair or at all”. For the purposes of this paragraph of this subclause — (a) “vacant land” means land within the Port Area which has no buildings or other structures erected upon it and which is vested in fee simple in the Port Authority or their Licensees known as The Grand Bahama Development Company Limited (a company also incorporated in the Colony) being land in which no other person has any right title or interest and which is not subject to any restrictive covenant as would prevent the Government from utilising such land for the government purpose intended; (b) “government purposes” means any function of government carried out within the Port Area to discharge any of the responsibilities of Government in relation to the Port Area for the maintenance of law and order, the administration of justice and the collection of revenue the provision of housing accommodation for Government officers or the carrying on of the work of any Ministry or Department of Government.

1966 Agreement, clause 7

7. Subclause (6) of clause 1 of the Principal Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the words “pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (c) of subclause (5) of this clause”.

1966 Agreement, clause 8

8. Paragraph (a) of subclause (5) of clause 2 of the Principal Agreement is hereby amended by deleting therefrom the words: “Provided Always that sales of any articles or things for export outside of the Colony” and substituting therefor the words: “Provided Always that any articles or things sold or agreed to be sold for export outside of the Colony (other than articles or things sold or agreed to be sold as the result of the display within the Port Area of such or identical articles or things or replicas thereof in the operation of a retail business”.

1966 Agreement, clause 9

9. Subclause (28) of clause 2 of the Principal Agreement is hereby amended by adding immediately at the end thereof the following proviso: “Provided Always that nothing in the foregoing provisions of this subclause shall prevent the enactment making or promul- gation of any legislation order or regulation imposing any duty or tax on the import into any other part of the Colony of any articles or things manufactured processed assembled or produced in the Port Area except pine lumber or products consisting of or made out of pine lumber or pine timber processed or manufactured within the Port Area out of pine timber grown on the said Island of Grand Bahama.”

1966 Agreement, clause 10

10. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Principal Agreement or clause 3 of the Supplemental Agreement no Licensee (as that expression is used in the Principal Agreement) undertaking after the date of these presents the construction or operation within the Port Area of an hotel (meaning thereby an building containing bedrooms for letting for short-term occupation by visitors to the Port Area) shall be entitled to any greater benefits in the way of refund for or freedom or exemption from Customs Duties Real Property Taxes or any other taxes or direct taxation in respect of the construction or operation thereof than would have been obtained had such hotel been a New Hotel within the meaning and for the purposes of clause 3 of the Supplemental Agreement.

1966 Agreement, clause 11

11. The Port Authority hereby covenant with the Government that within Six (6) months of the execution of these presents they will execute leases demising to the Treasurer for and on behalf of the Government the several premises within the Port Area more particularly described in the Second Schedule hereto. The terms and conditions of such leases shall be mutually agreed between the Government and the Port Authority save that unless the parties otherwise agree such leases shall provide and be subject to the following terms and conditions that is to say: (a) the premises shall be occupied and used solely for government purposes; (b) that in the event of the Government failing for a continuous period of Twelve (12) months during the currency of the lease to occupy and use the premises solely for government purposes the lease shall thereupon be determined; (c) the lease shall be for a term of Nine hundred and Ninety- nine (999) years; (d) during the period of Twenty-five (25) years after the commencement of the said term the Government shall pay the yearly rental specified in column 3 of the Second Schedule hereto (being Six per centum (6%) of the depreciated cost of the premises as shown in column 2 of the Second Schedule hereto) and thereafter a yearly rental of One shilling (1/-); (e) during the continuance of the Principal Agreement the Government shall maintain the land in a clean and sanitary condition and any building thereon in a state of good repair (fair wear and tear expected); (f) after the determination of the Principal Agreement the Government shall be under no obligation to maintain in a state of good repair any buildings on the land or to surrender them at the determination of the lease in a state of good repair or at all. In this clause the expression “government purposes” shall have the same meaning as in paragraph (c) of subclause (5) of clause 1 of the Principal Agreement as substituted by clause 6 hereof.

1966 Agreement, clause 12

12. It is hereby mutually agreed that subclause (2) of clause 2 of the Principal Agreement shall henceforth operate and have effect as if the words “or such other Code of Electrical Standards as may from time to time be mutually agreed between the Government and the Port Authority,” were inserted at the end thereof.

1966 Agreement, clause 13

13. Having regard to the considerable increase in the industrial and other development of the Port Area and to the nature and extent of certain of the responsibilities imposed by the Principal Agreement (as heretofore amended) upon the Port Authority that is to say inter alia for the proper operation of the deep water harbour at Freeport (under clause 1(2) of the Principal Agreement) for the laying-out of the development of the Port Area and the administration and control thereof (under clause 1(4) of the Principal Agreement) for the safe operation of all utility undertakings constructed by them or their Licensees (under clause 1(7) of the Principal Agreement) for the safe construction and the proper maintenance of all buildings and machinery installed in buildings within the Port Area so as to provide for the health and safety of employees and the general public and for the installation and maintenance of good public sanitation within the Port Area (under clause 1(10) of the Principal Agreement) and having regard to the need in the public interest to ensure that the Port Authority have the powers necessary to enable them to discharge effectively such and other responsibilities more particularly described in the Principal Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement and this Agreement the Government hereby undertakes to consider sympathetically any application by the Port Authority for the promotion of legislation to permit the Port Authority to make bye-laws subject to the approval of the appropriate Minister for the purpose of enabling the Port Authority to discharge the said responsibilities and to authorise the Port Authority or any duly authorised Licensee to collect or recover from owners or occupiers of premises reasonable fees or charges for services provided or rendered by the Port Authority or such Licensee in the discharge of the said responsibilities.

1966 Agreement, clause 14

14. It is hereby mutually agreed that any reference contained in the Principal Agreement or the Supplemental Agreement to “The Governor in Council”, or an “Order in Council”, or “the Colonial Secretary” shall hereafter be read and construed as a reference to “the Governor”, an “Order by the Governor” or “the Secretary to the Cabinet”, as the case may be. THE FIRST SCHEDULE HEREINBEFORE REFERRED TO Names and Addresses or Registered Offices of Existing Licensees. THE SECOND SCHEDULE HEREINBEFORE REFERRED TO Description of Premises Depreciated Yearly Cost Rental

1966 Agreement, clause 1

1. Livingstone Apartments, £14,174 £850 Pioneer Way. (Cost£19,004) (comprising 8 units, each with less £4,830 2 bedrooms, now occupied by depreciation) Customs personnel). 2. 50 Ranleigh Drive. £2,946 £177 (3 bedroom house, now (Cost£3,592 occupied by Customs less £646 personnel). depreciation) 3. 53 Frobisher Drive. £2,946 £177 (3 bedroom house, now (Cost£3,592 occupied by Customs less £646 personnel). depreciation) 4. 126 Clive Avenue. £2,558 £153 (3 bedroom house, now (Cost£3,480 occupied by Immigration less £922 personnel). depreciation) 5. 65 Whymper Lane. £2,946 £177 (3 bedroom house, now (Cost£3,592 occupied by Post Office less £646 personnel). depreciation) 6. 47 Pioneer Way. £2,224 £133 (3 bedroom house, now (Cost£2,483 occupied by Customs less £259 personnel). depreciation) 7. 83 Banyan Lane. £5,563 £334 (3 bedroom house, now (Cost£6,845 occupied by Police personnel). less £1,282 depreciation) 8. 36-45 Trotter Avenue. £25,469 £1,528 (comprising 10 houses, each (Cost£27,289 with 3 bedrooms, now occupied less £1,820 by 8 Customs, 1 Immigration, 1 depreciation) Postal personnel). Description of Premises Depreciated Yearly Cost Rental

1966 Agreement, clause 9

9. Administration Building, £11,503 £690 Pioneer Way. (Cost£17,784 2,893 square feet of office less £6,281 space depreciation) (now occupied by the Commissioner, Police and Liaison Officer).

1966 Agreement, clause 10

10. Police House, Cedar Street. £2,505 £150 (3 bedroom house, now (Cost£2,797 occupied by Police personnel). less £292 depreciation)

1966 Agreement, clause 11

11. Police Station, Peel Street. £74,329 £4,459 (comprising 8 Unit Barracks, (Cost£80,267 13 Duplexes, Administration, less £5,938 Garage, and Workshops now depreciation) occupied by Police).

1966 Agreement, clause 12

12. Customs House, Pioneer Way. £3,898 £234 1,230 square feet of office (Cost£6,028 space (now occupied by less £2,130 Customs personnel). depreciation)

1966 Agreement, clause 13

13. Post Office, Business District. £7,017 £421 2,000 square feet (Cost£7,980 less £963 depreciation)

1966 Agreement, clause 14

14. Airport. £11,952 £717 3,400 square feet (now (Cost£12,570 occupied by Customs and less £618 Immigration personnel). depreciation)

1966 Agreement, clause 15

15. Customs, Harbour. £804 £48 370 square feet (now occupied (Cost£1,071 by Customs personnel). less £267 depreciation) HAWKSBILL CREEK, GRAND BAHAMA (DEEP WATER HARBOUR AND INDUSTRIAL AREA)

Hawksbill Creek (Interpretation of Agreement) Act 1965 (Chapter 264)

Hawksbill Creek (Interpretation of Agreement) Act 1965 (Chapter 264)

HAWKSBILL CREEK, GRAND BAHAMA (DEEP WATER HARBOUR AND INDUSTRIAL AREA) (INTERPRETATION OF AGREEMENT) An Act for the removal of doubts as to the 63 of 1965 interpretation of certain provisions of an agreement made with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited, dated the 4th day of August 1955, and subsequent amendments thereto. [Commencement 30th September, 1965]

Hawksbill Creek (Interpretation of Agreement) Act 1965 (Chapter 264), section 2

2. In this Act — Interpretation. “the Agreement” means the Agreement 1 dated the Fourth day of August A.D. 1955 and made between His Excellency the Honourable An- thony Geoffrey Hopwood Gardner-Brown Act- ing Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Bahama Islands acting for and on behalf of the Government of the Bahama Islands of the one part and The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited of the other part and now of record in the Registry of Records in the City of Nassau in Volume 8 at pages 447 to 479 as amended by an Agreement 2 dated the Eleventh day of July A.D. 1960 and made between His Excellency Sir Robert de Stapledon Stapledon Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the said Bahama Islands acting for and on behalf of the said Government of the one part and the Port Authority of the other part and now of record in the said Registry of Records in Volume 353 at pages 186 to 350; See Ch. 261. See Ch. 262. “the Port Authority” means the said The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited; “the Government” has the same meaning as in the Agreement. Interpretation of 3. For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared the Agreement. that, for the purposes of any Declaration by the Government made (whether heretofore or hereafter) in accordance with clause 2(19) of the Agreement, such Declaration shall take effect in accordance with the Agreement (and shall be deemed always so to have taken effect) if the land the subject thereof is at the time of such Declaration owned in fee simple by the Port Authority, or, although not then so owned, has at any time prior thereto been so owned. HAWKSBILL CREEK, GRAND BAHAMA (DEEP WATER HARBOUR AND INDUSTRIAL AREA)

Hawksbill Creek (Extension of Tax Exemption Period) Act 1993 (Chapter 265)

Hawksbill Creek (Extension of Tax Exemption Period) Act 1993 (Chapter 265)

HAWKSBILL CREEK, GRAND BAHAMA (DEEP WATER HARBOUR AND INDUSTRIAL AREA) (EXTENSION OF TAX EXEMPTION PERIOD) An Act to further extend for the life of the 21 of 1993 S.I. 36/2005 agreement known as the Hawksbill Creek Agreement certain tax exemptions granted under that agreement and which are about to expire. [Assent 30th July, 1993] [Commencement 3rd August, 1993]

Hawksbill Creek (Extension of Tax Exemption Period) Act 1993 (Chapter 265), section 2

2. In this Act — Interpretation. “Agreement” means the Agreement dated the 4th day of August, 1955 and made between the Government of the then Bahama Islands of the one part and the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited of the other part, as amended by the Agreements made on the 11th day of July, 1960 and the 1st day of March, 1966, respectively.

Hawksbill Creek (Extension of Tax Exemption Period) Act 1993 (Chapter 265), section 3

3. Those exemptions from taxes and other imports Extension of conferred by the Agreement and which would cease on 4th certain tax exemption August, 1993 shall, notwithstanding anything to the period. contrary in any other law, continue for a further period of twenty-two years with effect from the 4th day of August, 1993.

Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993 (Chapter 30)

Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993 (Chapter 30)

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA An Act to authorise the entering into of an 35 of 1993 agreement with the Grand Bahama Port Authority 15 of 1994 Limited and the Grand Bahama Development Company Limited for the carrying out by them of certain developmental works in the Freeport area and to continue in that area the exemption from real property tax for a period of twenty-two years. [Commencement 31st December, 1993]

Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993 (Chapter 30), section 2

2. The Governor-General is hereby authorised at Conclusion of any time within six months after the coming into operation Agreement. 15 of 1994, s. 2. of this Act to enter into an agreement, substantially in the form set out in the Schedule with the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited and the Grand Bahama Development Company Limited, both being companies incorporated under the statute laws of The Bahamas.

Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993 (Chapter 30), section 3

3. The Public Seal of the Commonwealth of The Affixation of Public Seal. Bahamas shall be affixed to the said agreement.

Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993 (Chapter 30), section 4

4. Clause 2 of the Agreement shall subject to Force of law. clause 3 thereof have the force of law.

1994 Agreement (Freeport, Grand Bahama Act 1993 (Chapter 30))

1994 Agreement, recitals

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas New Providence. This AGREEMENT made the ................ day of ................, 1994 BETWEEN his Excellency Sir Clifford Darling, Governor- General acting for and on behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas (who and whose successors in office for the time being are hereinafter included in the term “Government”) of the one part AND the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited and the Grand Bahama Development Company Limited, both being companies incorporated under the statute laws of The Bahamas and carrying on business within The Bahamas (hereinafter referred to as “the Companies” which expression where the context admits shall include their respective assigns) of the other WHEREAS — (A) The Government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority entered into three Agreements dated the 4th day of August, 1955, the 11th day of July, 1960 and the 1st day of March, 1966, respectively whereby for a period of thirty-five (35) years from the 4th day of August, 1955 no real property taxes or rates and no real property levies (whether capital or periodic) of any kind shall be levied, charged or collected by the Government within the Port Area or upon or against any Land, building or structure within the Port Area as defined in the aforementioned Agreement dated 4th August, 1955. (B) By the Hawksbill Creek, Grand Bahama (Deep Water Harbour and Industrial Area) (Extension of Tax Exemption Period) Act, 1992 the aforementioned exemption period of thirty-five (35) years that ended on the 4th day of August, 1990 was extended until the 4th day of August, 1993. (C) The Government is satisfied that it is desirable for the purposes of encouraging and facilitating further development on the Island of Grand Bahama with the accompanying creation of employment opportunities on the Island of Grand Bahama that there should continue to be enjoyed within the said Port Area the aforementioned exemption from real property tax for a further period of twenty-two (22) years from the 4th day of August, 1993 in consideration of the Companies undertaking to carry out in a timely manner certain works of development in the Port Area. premises WITNESSETH as follows —

1994 Agreement, clause 1

1. The Companies covenant with the Government that unless prevented from so doing by Act of God, insurrection, riot, civil commotion, war or warlike operations, strikes, lockouts, force majeure, or any unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances which may reasonably be considered to be beyond the control of the Companies they shall jointly and severally carry out or cause to be carried out on their behalf in an efficient diligent and timely manner the several works and undertakings set out in the Schedule.

1994 Agreement, clause 2

2. That for a period of twenty-two (22) years from the 4th day of August, 1993 no real property taxes or rates and no real property levies (whether capital or periodic) of any kind shall be levied, charged or collected by the Government within the Port Area or upon or against any land, building or structure within the Port Area.

1994 Agreement, clause 3

3. (1) It is hereby mutually agreed that if the Companies shall fail to carry out and complete any of the works or undertakings on their part contained in the Schedule pursuant to their covenant under clause 1 the exemption granted under clause 26 shall cease unless the Government and the Companies otherwise in writing agree.

1994 Agreement, clause 3(2)

(2) Where no date is specified in the Schedule for the carrying out of a work or undertaking the Government shall give notice in writing to the Companies requiring them to remedy their neglect within 30 days and where the Government is satisfied that the neglect persists after the expiration of the period the Government shall by further notice specify the continued neglect and thereupon as from the date of that further notice the exemption conferred by clause 2 shall cease.

1994 Agreement, clause 4

4. For the purposes of this Agreement “Port Area” has the same meaning as that given to the expression for the purposes of the Agreements set out in Chapters 261 and 262 of the 2000 Statute Laws of The Bahamas.

1994 Agreement, clause 5

5. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the Laws of The Bahamas.

1994 Agreement, Schedule

WORKS AND UNDERTAKING

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 1

1. Build and complete with appropriate landscaping at a minimum cost of two million dollars a centre for the administration of justice comprising facilities for the accommodation of the sittings of the Supreme Court and Magistrates Court.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 2

2. Contribute by way of two equal instalments the first to be made by the 15th February, 1994 and the other by 1st August, 1994 the sum of seven million dollars towards the construction of facilities for two high schools to be built by the Government on mutually agreed sites in the Port Area that are to be donated by the Companies.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 3

3. Make an annual payment to the Treasurer for the purpose of defraying the administrative expenses incurred by the Government in the Port Area of the sum of Five hundred thousand dollars for a period of five years and to carry out with the Government a review in the fifth year of this undertaking.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 4

4. Fund the construction and completion, in the Port Area by 1996 of a children’s library and thereafter to maintain the facility in a reasonable manner.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 5

5. Fund the construction and establishment by 1995 of an arts and crafts teaching centre and thereafter undertake the maintenance of the centre in the Port Area.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 6

6. Construct a modern multi-purpose sports track and field facility, including a regulated athletic track, on land in the Port Area by 1996.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 7

7. Construct within ninety (90) days of the signing of this Agreement a fruit, vegetables and fish vendors’ complex on the grounds of the existing produce exchange cost of which to be equally borne between the Government and the Companies.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 8

8. Assume by the end of the year 1996 the responsibility for and the upgrading of the existing potable water distribution system to Eight Mile Rock and to the western settlements of Grand Bahama.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 9

9. Promote home porting and container port facility at Freeport Harbour.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 10

10. Construct or cause to be constructed beachfront cottages to promote second home investment in the Port Area.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 11

11. Assist in the creation of local Government in Grand Bahama.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 12

12. Donate land within the Port Area for a new and adequate hospital in Grand Bahama.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 14

14. Carry out measures that are necessary to address erosion of public beaches in Grand Bahama.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 15

15. Conduct a feasibility study to determine water allocation for development purposes in the Port Area.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 16

16. Introduce additional environmental frameworks for development.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 17

17. Update the Master Land Use plan for the Port Area.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 18

18. Establish an organization to promote Grand Bahama internationally.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 19

19. Upgrade Freeport into a garden city in keeping with the Government’s “Beautiful Bahamas Programme”.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 20

20. Assume responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of Queens Highway in the Port Area that is from the High Rock Settlement to Eight Mile Rock.

1994 Agreement, Schedule, item 21

21. Donate adequate land for a Police Headquarters in the Port Area.