For the purpose of local roverinnent the Netherlands are divided into 11 provinces, 0101 these are again subdivided into 1 123 communes. The chief executive authority in each province is a commissioner of the sovereign. In each prov ince is also a representative assembly consisting of members elected for a term of six years. one half of the members retiring every second year. The number of members eonstituting an assem bly varies from 35 to SO, according to the popu lation of the province. The powers of the pro vincial assemblies are in general those of a local legislative body, and include such duties as the enactment of ordinances and the levy of taxes. All ordinances to be valid must be approved by the Crown. The assemblies exercise a supervisory control over the municipalities and elect the members of the Upper Chamber of the national Parliament. Ordinarily they hold sessions twice a year and are presided over by the commissioner of the sovereign. For the conduct of the pro vincial administration a deputation of six mem bers is ehosen from the body of the provincial as sembly and is known as the 'Deputed States.' In each commune is a local council elected for a term of six years by the same electorate as that which chooses the members of the provincial as sembly. The number of members varies from 7 to 4 1, according to the population of the com mune, and one-third of the members retire every two years. The powers and duties of the com munal council include the enactment of by-laws and ordinances relating to matters of purely local concern. These are all subject to the veto of the
sovereign, while the budget and ordinances for the alienation of municipal property require the approval of the Deputed States of the province. The council is presided over by a mayor or lnirgo thaster appointed by the sovereign for a term of six years. Ile is the chief executive officer in the commune, and is assisted by from one to four aldermen (the number depending upon the popu lation of the commune) elected by the council from its own membership. The mayor exercises a supervisory power over the netions of the council and may suspend its resolutions for a period of thirty He also has charge of the municipal pollee.
The judicial system of the Netherlands con sists of one lligh Court of Cassation, which sits at The Ilague. give Courts of Appeal, 23 District Courts. and 1 On cantonal tribunals. The High of The 1 logue has original jurisdiction in matters concerning the State. the royal family, and the impeachment of ministers and misdemean ors committed by the higher ollivials. It has ap pellate in cases appealed from the provincial courts and the courts in the eolonies. .\ 11 judges are appointed by the Crown for life, exeept the cantonal judges, whose tenure is lint ited to five years, and they are irremovable ex cept by resolution of the High Court. Trial by jury does not exist in the Netherlands. Consult: De lombynes, Constitutions curopt'enncs (2 vols., Paris. 1881). For army and navy, see under ARMIES and NAVIES.