lish a parish council in a parish which has a population of less
than 300, and may group small parishes under a common parish council;
in every case they fix the number of members of the parish council.
They may authorize the borrowing of money by a parish council, and
they may lend money to a parish council. They may hear complaints by a
parish council that a district council has failed to provide
sufficient sewerage or water-supply, or has failed to enforce the
provisions of the Public Health Acts in their district, and on such
complaint they may transfer to themselves and exercise the powers of
the defaulting council, or they may appoint a person to perform those
duties. They may make orders for the custody and preservation of
public books, writings, papers and documents belonging to a parish.
They may divide a parish into wards for purposes of elections or of
parish meetings. They may authorize district councils to aid persons
in maintaining rights of common. They may, on the petition of a
district council, transfer to themselves the powers of a district
council who have refused or failed to take the necessary proceedings
to assert public rights of way or protect roadside wastes. They may
dispense with the disqualification of a parish or district councillor
arising only by reason of his being a shareholder in a water company
or similar company contracting with the council, and, as has above
been stated, they have large powers of altering the boundaries of
parishes.

Diseases of animals.

Among the powers and duties of quarter sessions transferred to county
councils were those arising under the acts relating to contagious
diseases of animals. These acts were consolidated and amended by a
statute of 1894, and the county council remain the local authority for
the execution of that act in counties.

Light railways.

Under the Light Railways Act 1896 a county council may be authorized
by order of the light railway commissioners to construct and work or
contract for the construction or working of a light railway, lend
money to a light railway company, or join any other council in these
matters.

Miscellaneous.

Among other statutes conferring powers or imposing duties upon county
councils, mention may be made of such acts as those relating to sea
fisheries regulation, open spaces, police superannuation, railway and
canal traf