fer to the officers of the
county council. Of these, the chief are the clerk, the treasurer, and
the surveyor. Before 1888 the clerk of the peace was appointed in a
county by the _custos rotulorum_. He held office for life during good
conduct, and had power to act by a sufficient deputy. Under the act of
1888 existing clerks of the peace became clerks of the councils of
their counties, holding office by the same tenure as formerly, except
in the county of London, where the offices were separated. Thereafter
a new appointment to the offices of clerk of the peace and clerk of
the county council was to be made by the standing joint-committee, at
whose pleasure he is to hold office. The same committee appoint the
deputy-clerk, and fix the salaries of both officers. The clerk of the
peace was formerly paid by fees which were fixed by quarter sessions,
but he is now generally, if not in every case, paid by salary, the
fees received by him being paid into the county fund. The county
council may also employ such other officers and servants as they may
think necessary.

Business.

Subject to a few special provisions in the Local Government Act of
1888, the business of the county council is regulated by the
provisions laid down in the Municipal Corporations Act 1882, with
regard to borough councils. There are four quarterly meetings in every
year, the dates of which may be fixed by the council, with the
exception of that which must be held on the 16th March or some day
within ten days after the 8th of March as already noticed when
treating of elections. Meetings are convened by notices sent to
members stating the time and place of the meeting and the business to
be transacted. The chairman, or in his absence the vice-chairman, or
in the absence of both an alderman or councillor appointed by the
meeting, presides. All questions are determined by the votes of the
majority of those present and voting, and in case of equality of votes
the chairman has a casting vote. Minutes of the proceedings are taken,
and if signed by the chairman at the same or the next meeting of the
council are evidence of the proceedings. In all other respects the
business of the council is regulated by standing orders which the
council are authorized to make. Very full power is given to appoint
committees, which may be either general or special, and to them may be
delegated, with