MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.
The bill on this subject is brought in by Lord John Russell and Mr. Baring; it is intituled, "a bill for dissolving certain corporations, and regulating certain municipal corporations in England." Its object is to legislate for the future government of those minor corporations not included in the Municipal Corporations Act of William IV.
Section 1 proposes to dissolve the corporate bodies of the several places contained in schedules (A) and (B) annexed to the bill, with all charters, &c., thereof. These are (sched. A,) Ashton-under-Lyne (Lancashire,) Bala, Bossiney, Brackley, Brading, Burton-on-Trent, Caergwile, Caerwys, Castle Rising, Cefn Lys, Chipping Sodbury, Cluu, Corfe Castle, Cricceith, Crickhowel, Dinas Mwddy, Dunmow Great, Dursley, Farnham, Fishguard, Fowey, Grampound, Harlech, Hay, Holt, Knighton, Knuckless, Lampeter, Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Newborough, Newport (Pembrokes.,) Newton, (Lancashire,) Over, Overton, Petersfield (Hampshire), Plympton Earle, Presteign, Rhayader, Rhuddan, Romney Marsh, Rington, St. David's, Talgarth, Weobley, Wickwar, Winchelsea, Wiston, Wokingham, Wootton Bassett, Wootton-under-edge. Schedule (B) Altringham, Appleby, Berkeley, Bishop's Castle, Bradninch, Camelford, Christchurch (Hants,) Conway, Cowbridge, Dunwick, Fordwick, Garstang, Henley, Higham Ferrers, Ilchester, Looe East, Looe West, Lostwithiel, Laughor, Lynd Marazion, Newtown (Isle of Wight,) Orford, Pevensey, St. Clear's, Seaford, Thornbury, Tregony, Usk, Wareham (Dorset,) Westbury (Wilts,) Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.) In these boroughs it is proposed that no mayors shall be hereafter elected.
Section 2. In the boroughs in sched. (C) annexed to the bill, namely, Ashton-under-Lyne (Manor of Ashton,) Christchurch Twyneham (Manor of same,) Petersfield (Manor of Peterford) Wareham (Manor of Wareham,) Westbury, (Manor of Westbury,) and Woodstock (Manor Woodstock,) it is proposed that a high-bailiff shall be presented and sworn for the ensuing year, at the court leet holden for the places mentioned in the said schedule (C,) in conjunction with such boroughs respectively, and shall be the returning officer at all elections of members of parliament for such boroughs respectively.
Section 3. In dissolved corporations, all tolls to cease as soon as any debts therein shall be discharged.
Section 4. Property of dissolved corporations to vest in overseers of the poor of the several parishes in such corporations.
Section 5. In each of the boroughs in schedule (D,) namely, Aldborough, Alnwick, Axbridge, Hedon, Kidwelly, Laugharne, Llanelly, Malmsbury, Okehampton, Pwllheli, Queenborough, Romney New, Saltash, Sutton Coldfield, Yeovil, the title of the corporate body is to be, "the boroughreeve and burgesses of the borough of—," and the elections are to be as heretofore.
Section 6. In boroughs in schedule (C,) any male person of full age, who for three years shall have been an inhabitant householder therein, is to be a freeman, while he resides therein, payment of the fees, which are not to exceed forty shillings.
Section 7. On 1st of November the freemen are to choose from the body four freemen, worth in real or personal estate £300, or rated at not less than £10, to be burgesses for three years, and members of the common council.
Section 8. The boroughreeve is to be elected by the common council on the 9th of November, we suppose in boroughs both in sched. (C) and (D.)
Section 9, 10, 11, provide for issuing a madamus, and for elections where elections have been omitted to be made.
Sections 12, 13, 14, 15, certain special provisions for Langharne, Malmsbury, Queenborough, and Kilgerean.
Section 16, abolishes offices of coroners and justices of the peace in boroughs in schedule (D) and those in schedule (E) namely, Aberavon, Hartlepool, Haveringatte-bower, Kenfig, Langpool Eastover, Llantrissent, Montgomery, Newport, Radnor New. The Queen may appoint justices.