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Markets Act

LAWS OF TONGA

1988 Revised Edition]

CHAPTER 49

MARKETS ACT

Arrangement of Sections

Section
1 Short title.
2 Interpretation.
3 Minister may establish Government markets.
4 Market Authorities.
5 Regulations.
6 Application.

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MARKETS ACT

Acts 10 of 1975, 14 of 1977, 37 of 1988, 46 of 1988

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND REGULATION OF MARKETS

Commencement [30th January, 1976]

1 Short title.

This Act may be cited as the Markets Act.

2 Interpretation.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

"market authority" means the person or persons appointed in terms of section 4 of this Act;

"Minister" means the Minister of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries;

"stall" means a canteen.

3 Minister may establish Government markets.

The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette

(a) establish Government markets;¹

(b) specify the area and boundaries thereof;

(c) specify the type of goods which may be sold therein.

¹ Talamahu Market and Vuna Market (G.S. 1/71.); Tuimatamoana Market (G.155/88.).

4 Market Authorities.

(1) The management and control of Government markets shall be as follows:

(a) there shall be one Market Authority for the Government markets in Tongatapu; (Amended by Act 37 of 1988)

(b) there shall be one Market Authority for each of the other island groups of Ha'apai, Vava'u and 'Eua, to be established as and when Government markets are established.

(2) Each Market Authority shall consist of not more than 6 persons, who shall be appointed from time to time by the Minister, and whose names and/or designations shall be published in the Gazette.

(3) The Minister shall, in his sole discretion, have power to appoint persons to the Market Authorities and to terminate their appointments therefrom.

(4) The Minister shall, in his sole discretion, appoint the Chairman and Secretary of each Market Authority.

5 Regulations.

The Minister may make Regulations for the following purposes:

(a) regulating the use of Government markets and market buildings, and keeping order, preventing obstructions, and maintaining cleanliness therein or in the approaches thereto;

(b) prohibiting the sale of specified kinds of goods within any specified area surrounding a Government market not exceeding 1.61 kilometres from the boundary of the market;

(c) providing for the fixing of stallages, rents and tolls and the collection thereof;

(d) fixing the days and hours during each day on which the Government market may be held and preventing the sale and purchase of goods in the Government markets on any days or at any hours except those fixed;

(e) prescribing the weights, scales and measures to be used in the sale of any particular produce, and regulating the use thereof;

(f) the examination of produce or articles of food;

(g) regulating the duties and conduct of managers and inspectors appointed for the purpose of this Act;

(h) generally for carrying into effect the purposes of this Act.

6 Application.

This Act shall only apply to Government markets established in terms of section 4 hereof or under the Market Regulations. (Amended by Act 46 of 1988.)

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