CHAPTER XII.

THE COLLECTOR AND HIS DUTIES.

THIS officer will be removable by the council at pleasure, and will be paid such salary as the council may determine.

He will (under the guidance of the town clerk) be required to make all rate estimates, make out the rates, give the required notices in respect of them, collect them, and pay the money

to the treasurer.

He must produce his books to the town clerk when required, prepare a monthly cash account, collect miscellaneous moneys, attend the council and committees when required, and generally obey the orders of the council and its bye-laws.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE WATCH COMMITTEE AND CONSTABLES.

It will be the duty of the council to select a sufficient number of their own body to constitute, with the mayor, a "watch committee," which committee is required to appoint a sufficient number of constables to form the police force of the borough.

This committee is generally formed of the whole council. The committee is to fix the salaries and wages of and allowances to the constables.

The constables will exclusively act as such within the borough, but in case of special emergency may (under the directions of the watch committee) act as constables in the adjoining

counties.

It will devolve upon the watch committee to make regulations for the management of the constables, who, by the Municipal Corporation Act, are empowered (when on duty) to apprehend idle and disorderly persons whilst disturbing the public peace, or when suspected of an intention to com

mit a felony, and to deliver such offenders to the officer in attendance at the nearest lock-up, in order that they may be dealt with according to

law.

Constables stationed at the lock-up at night are empowered to admit to bail persons brought there (without warrant) charged with any petty mis

demeanor.

In other respects the powers and duties of borough constables (i.e. borough police) and county

constables are identical.

Assaulting or resisting a borough constable in the execution of his duty subjects the offender to a penalty not exceeding 57., or such offender may be indicted.

Special constables are to be appointed by the justices in October, and as an auxiliary force may be called upon to act within the borough when the ordinary force is insufficient.

The watch committee is required to make quarterly returns of rules and orders from time to time made for the regulation of their force; and to annually make a return of the number of offences reported by such force, the number of persons apprehended, the nature of the charges, and the result of the proceedings.

The committee, with the sanction of the council, may grant rewards for services or as a compensa

tion for injury; may establish a superannuation fund, and make gratuities to widows of constables dying in the service of the council.

The penalties under the Licensing Act, 1872, and some other statutes, not exceeding a moiety, may be directed by the convicting justices to be paid to the police superannuation fund.

For neglect of duty or disobedience every constable is liable on conviction before two justices to imprisonment for ten days, or a fine not exceeding forty shillings, or to be dismissed from the force. A constable may also be fined one week's pay for neglect in the discharge of his duty.

If the local government board certify that an efficient police force has been established in the borough, one-fourth of the charge for pay and clothing will be paid by the Treasury, and the Police Expenses Act, 1874, leaves the amount to be contributed to the discretion of the Treasury during the year 1875.

The council has power to arrange with the county magistrates to consolidate the borough and county police; three-fourths of the council must be present when the agreement is sealed, and it is not valid without the sanction of the local government board (a).

(a) 3 & 4 Vict. c. 88.

CHAPTER XIV.

BYE-LAWS.

THE Council has power to make bye-laws for the regulation of its internal affairs, and to make municipal bye-laws for the good rule and government of the borough and the prevention and suppression of nuisances, by summary conviction, and for sanitary purposes.

By these bye-laws the council may subject offenders to such fines, not exceeding 57., as to the council may seem meet.

They must be made at a meeting of the council at which two-thirds of the whole body are present, and must be reasonable, certain, and under the common seal, or they will not be enforcible.

Bye-laws are not enforcible until the expiration of forty days after they have been sent to one of the principal secretaries of state, and have been published.

The offences committed by breach of such laws are punishable by summary conviction, before two justices, within three calendar months.

It should be remembered that the fine for not