The council, and committees appointed by them, are authorised to make rates for the conduct of the museum and library, and the appoint ment and salaries of officers. Admission to such libraries and museums is to be free of all charge. The council may, with the approbation of the Treasury, borrow money on security of the rate levied under this Act.
Public Baths and Wash-houses.—The 9 & 10 Vict. c. 74 (1846), which is intended to encourage the establishment of public baths, wash-houses, and open bathing-places, may be adopted by the council of an incor porated borough, and may then be carried into operation in accordance with the existing laws and regulations relating to the borough. The expenses may be charged upon the borough fund or supplied by a separate rate. The council have the control and regulation of the baths and wash-houses thus established. They are also empowered to raise money for the purposes of the Act upon security of the borough fund.
Public Health Act, 1848.—This important Act, which is directed to the promotion of the health of towns and populous places, by the supply of water, and the improvement of the sewerage and draining, may be brought into operation in boroughs upon the petition of not less than one-tenth of the inhabitants rated to the poor, or without this in places where it can be shown from the registrar-general's return that the annual number of deaths exceeds 23 in 1000. A report having been made to her Majesty by the General Board of Health upon the MB, the Act is put in force by an order in council. But in cases where a local Act of Parliament for cleansing, water supply, &c., is in force, the order in council must be ratified by Act of Parliament before it takes effect. In districts consisting solely of a corporate borough, the council of the borough are constituted the local board of health ; in larger districts, including more than a borough, the mayor and a portion of the councillors are to be members of the local board of health formed for the united district.
Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Act, 1848.—In places
where the Public Health Act is not in force, the council of the borough may, upon the receipt of a notice signed by two inhabitant householders of the existence in any house or premises of a privy, cesspool, or other nuisance dangerous to health, cause the premises to be examined; and if satisfied of the dangerous nature of the nuisance, either by such examination or the certificate of two medical practitioners, the council may lodge a complaint with a justice, who may summon the owner to appear, and order the nuisance to be removed within two days. In default of this being done by the owner, the council may themselves cause the nuisance to be removed, and recover the costs against the owner or occupier.
Polak Bialdiegs, ke.—Powers of building, enlarging, or repairing town halls or council houses, police offices, borough jails, or houses of correction, are imparted to the councils of boroughs by the Acts 7 li ills IV. Sr 1 Vict. e. 78, and 5 & 6 Viet. cr. 53 & e. 99. They are empowered to borrow money and to purchase land for such purposes Bridges within the limits of the borough, and which are repaired at its expense, are placed under the management of the council.
The number of Acta affecting more or less directly municipal corporations in England and Wales, commencing with the Municipal Reform Act (5 & 6 WilL IV. c. 76) up to the present time is not less than sixty ; and the reader must be referred to special treatises upon the subject for more minute information. (See BLecksts, ' Comm., voL L, p. 615, Mr. Kerr's ed. ; Rawlinson's ' Municipal Corporation Act ;' Merrifield's ' Burgesses Manual., In Ireland the municipal system was amended by the Act 3 & A Vice e. 108 (1840), the provisions of which resemble in many respects those of the English Municipal Reform Act. In Scotland, by the Acts 3 & 4 WilL IV. cc. 78 k 77, the constitution of the common councils in such burghs as had formerly possessed bodies of this kind was reformed, and councils were conferred upon such burghs as had previously had none.