Page:Volume 1 1828.pdf/91

The additional numbers of Commissioners to be elected were 11 for All Saints and 10 for St. Mary-in-the-Castle. The qualification for voting for such was an annual rent or rate of £5 and upwards. If an elected Commissioner should refuse to take the oath for nine months, or not attend the meetings for the same period, another was to be elected in his place. The qualification for a Commissioner was that of a resident inhabitant, being either in his own right or that of his wife in actual possession or receipt of the rents and profits of a freehold (or an unexpired leasehold of 60 years) of lands, tenements &c. within the town of the clear value of £20. Then follows the form of oath, the penalty for acting and not taking being £100. The first general meeting was to be held at the Swan inn or some other convenient place on the first Monday after the passing of the Act, at the hours of ten and twelve in the forenoon, and afterwards on the first Monday in every calendar month. Other hours might be adopted from time to time as might be agreed upon. A chairman must be appointed at the meetings and in cases of equal voting he to have a casting vote. Minutes of the proceedings were to be kept in books. Not less than seven were to form a quorum. Committees might be appointed, as also a treasurer, a clerk, a surveyor and a collector of moneys, the treasurer and clerk not to be the same person and the treasurer to provide security. The Commissioners might sue and be sued in the name of their clerk, the clerk to be a competent witness. Commissioners not to be personally liable and officers not to take fees or rewards. Accounts to be kept and examined yearly. Pavements, markets and waterworks were to be invested in the Commissioners, but the stade and stone-beach not to be so invested. The Commissioners were also empowered to declare new streets and squares when made public. Persons assessed under the Act were to be exonerated from Statute duty and Highway rates. There was to be no alteration of pavements or drains without the consent of the Commissioners, who were empowered to make contracts for widening, altering, watering, lighting and otherwise improving the streets and roads, but all contracts above £100 to be advertised. Penalties, not exceeding £5 for wilful damage to lamps, and damages to be made good if by accident. Gas pipes to be laid 4 feet from water pipes to prevent contamination. No unauthorised person to take away ashes, and no offensive materials to be thrown into the streets, but no penalty for the use of ashes or sand during frost. All pavements to be swept daily between the morning hours of 6 and 10, the neglect of which would subject owners of occupiers to a fine not exceeding 20s. Slaughter, tallow or soap houses to be removed if necessary, and owners to be compensated if such houses were erected previously to the passing of the act. All -