Directory_and_Chronicle_1877 — Page 760

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PORT, CONSULAR, CUSTOMS, AND HARBOUR REGULATIONS, &c.

Britannic Majesty's Consul for his consideration. After the expiration of the term of ten days, the Consular approval, if signified, shall be binding.

VIII. That members of the Municipal Council shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting to be held in July, as set forth in Rule No. 1.; and that at all meetings the following persons shall alone be entitled to vote, viz.:-Land Renters, recognised Agents acting for Firms who are Land Renters, and persons holding formal authority to act as proxies for absent Land Renters, and all Tax-payers of Ten Dollars and upwards.

IX.--That on or before the second day of July in each year it shall be competent for every person entitled to vote for the election of Council to send in writing to H. B. M.'s Consul the names of four duly qualified persons whom he wishes should act for that year, attaching his signature to the memorandum and stating the number of votes he is entitled to. The names of all the persons proposed will then be published or exhibited in the Consulate office, and any one refusing to serve must notify such refusal to H. B. M.'s Consul on or before the 10th day of July. On the day appointed for the election, should the members proposed exceed the required number, a ballot will take place as set forth in the foregoing Regulation.

X.-All Renters of Land within the Settlement having paid all taxes due, and whose aunual payment of assessment on Land, or Houses, or both, shall amount to the sum of Dollars ten and upwards, shall be qualified to be members of the Municipal Council.

XI.-In case of a vacancy or vacancies occurring in the Committee or Council during the Municipal year, a meeting shall be convened for the purpose of filling up such vacancy or vacancies, in terms of Rules 8 and 9.

XII. The Council shall enter upon their office as soon after the accounts of the retiring Committee shall have been audited and passed at the annual meeting in July, and at their first meeting the new Council shall elect a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. In the temporary absence of the Chairman, the members present at any meeting of the Council shall elect their Chairman for such meeting.

XIII.-The Council may from time to time appoint such officers and servants as they think necessary for carrying out these Regulations, and fix the salaries and allowances of such officers and servants, and may pay the same out of the Municipal Funds, and make Bye-Laws for the government of such officers and servants, and may discontinue or remove any of them, from time to time, as they shall think fit.

XIV. The Council shall administer the Municipal Funds for the public use and benefit at their discretion, in accordance with the object and view expressed at a general meeting; and a statement shall be drawn up by them at the end of each year for which the Council has been elected, showing the nature and amount of the receipts and disbursements of the Municipal Council Fund for that year, and the said statement shall be published for general information at least ten days before the general meeting is convened.

XV. No matter or thing done, or contract entered into, by the Council, nor any matter or thing done by any member thereof, or person whomsoever, acting under the direction of the Council, shall, if the matter or thing were done, or the contract entered into, bona fide for the purpose of executing these Regulations, subject them or any of them personally to any action, liability, claim, or demand whatsoever. And any expense properly, and with due authority, incurred by the Council, member thereof, or person acting as last aforesaid, shall be borne and repaid out of rates levied under the authority of these Regulations.

XVI. All transfers of land in the British Settlement at Shameen shall be made by the parties to the transfer, or by their representatives duly authorized for that purpose, in the presence of an officer of Her Britannic Majesty's Consulate, and shall be registered in the said Consulate within one month of such transfer under a penalty not exceeding $100.

XVII.-No transfer of land in the settlement at Shameen to a subject or citizen of any other power excepting Great Britain, shall be valid, unless he shall previously undertake, in writing in his own name, and with the official certified