The Local Government Act
The General Board of Health issued the following information respecting the provisions of the Local Government Act of 1858. This Act came into force from the 1st of Sept., 1858 in districts under the Public Health Act; and in other places it came into operation at the expiration of two months from the date of its adoption. By the adoption of this Act, any borough, town or place possessing known and defined boundaries might obtain powers for their own Government and improvement without recourse to the Central Executive or to Parliament; and places not having defined boundaries might acquire them for the purposes of the Act as hereunder described.
Adoption of the Act
The Act may be adopted in corporate boroughs after the 1st of November, 1858, by a resolution of the Town Council. In places, not boroughs, under a board of elected improvement commissioners, by resolution; but in both, a month’s previous notice must be given of the meeting at which the resolution for adoption is proposed, and two-thirds of the number present must concur on the resolution. In other places the Act may be adopted by a resolution of a majority of owners and ratepayers, at a public meeting, or by a poll if demanded by any owner or ratepayer present at the meeting. Meetings for the adoption of the Act are to be summoned, on written requisition of 20 owners or ratepayers in boroughs by the Mayor; in places not boroughs, under elected improvement commissioners, by the chairman of the same. In other places by the churchwardens or overseers, or where neither exists, by any person appointed by one of Her Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State. In case of a poll, the voting is by papers and rating or ownership of up to £50, one vote; between £50 and £100, two votes; between £100 and £150, three votes; between £150 and £200, four votes; between £200 and £250, five; and above £250, six votes. Ownership and bona fide occupation by same owner give a right to vote as both owner and occupier. But owners must deliver to the summoning officer a statement of their claim to vote 14 days before the day of tendering the vote.
Settlement of Boundaries. Places not having a known or defined boundary may set out one in a petition to one of Her Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State, signed by one-tenth of the ratepayers within the boundary so set out. The Secretary of State may settle the boundary on such petition, and the owners and ratepayers within the boundary so settled may then proceed as aforesaid.
Appeal against Adoption. One twentieth of the owners and ratepayers in number or value, may, within 21 days from the pas-
