Stranica 72 [72]
being of society, and about the necessity of which
there can scarcely be a diversity of opinion, I trust,
will be met on your part with enlarged views and a
liberal policy. If you would educate the people,
you must raise the standard of qualification on the
part of the teachers, and this can only be done by
. making more ample provision for their support.
No master of suitable education and respectable
character, unless afflicted by bodily infirmity, would
ever think of continuing in charge of a common
school in this colony, dependant on the humiliating
maintenance which, up to this period, has been so
sparingly dealt to him.
I will probably submit to your consideration,
before the close of the session, my sentiments on
the subject of a Provincial Normal Seminary, for
the education and supply of Common School
masters, to the end that the attention of the
Government may be directed to the establishment
of such an institution,
You will have observed that a census of the
inhabitants of the Province, and other extensive
and useful statistical information, is required, by
an Act of the Legislature, to be taken, by the
Assessors during the current year. I received from
the Government office, a short time ago, the
schedules for that purpose, but, as they require
to be greatly enlarged, and fearing that the
Assessors would not be able, from want of a
proper description of paper and the necessary con¬
venience, to make such alterations, I directed the
acting Clerk to enlarge the rolls according to the
population of the respective townships, trusting to
your approval of this, and relying on your readiness
to provide for the expense incurred thereby.
It is essential that you should adopt a code of
rules for your guidance in conducting the public
business, and to preserve order and decorum in all
your deliberations ; and if what I have prepared for
that purpose shall be found of service in assisting
you to frame such regulations, it will give me
satisfaction.
Mr. Shaw moved, seconded by Mr. Denaut, That
the Warden be requested to furnish the Council
with a copy of his address delivered at the opening
of this the first session held under the Municipal
Act, and that the same be entered on the minutes—
which was carried unanimously.
CHAPTER XVI.
QUARTER SESSIONS — Courts OF REQUEST—
EXTRACTS,
By an Act passed during the First Session of the
First Parliament, 1792, the District of Lunenburg
was changed into the Eastern District, and provision
made for the erection of a court house and gaol, at
New Johnstown, in the Township of Edwardsburg.
An Act was also passed for the more easy and
speedy recovery of small debts, making it lawful
for any two or more Justices of the Peace, acting
under His Majesty's commission, to assemble and
hold a Court of Justice, to be called the
COURT OF REQUEST.
This Court was to be held on the first and third
Saturday of every month, at some place fixed by
the Justices assembled in Quarter Sessions. The
members of the Court, designated as Commissioners,
had power to administer oaths, give judgment, and
issue executions The jurisdiction of the Court
only extended to forty shillings, hence the tribunal
in time became known as “The Forty Shillings’
Court.” Afterwards the sum was increased to ten
pounds. The Act came into force in 1792; March
the 22nd, 1816, the jurisdiction was extended to £5,
being further increased to #10 March 4th,- 1837,
but was finally repealed August 27th, 1841, when the
Courts of Request were succeeded by the establish¬
ment of Division Courts.
The Magistrates in Quarter Sessions procured
the necessary plans, and proceeded to contract for
the erection of the court house and gaol at Johns¬
town. Unfortunately, no proceedings of the Sessions
are extant from an earlier date than 1800.
The Court assembled at Johnstown, April 22nd,
1800, and consisted of the following gentlemen :—
Hon. Solomon Jones, Ephraim Jones, Joel Stone,
William Fraser and Hugh Munroe. One of the
first acts was to appoint Oliver Evits, High Con¬
stable.
Abel Stevens, an elder of the Baptist Church,
and the first settler of the Township of Bastard, ap¬
peared before the Court.and asked permission to
solemnize marriages.
At the Sessions in 1801, Joel Stone applied for
leave to establish a bridge or ferry at Cadanocqui,
(Gananoque), and charge toll. The request was
granted, and the following tariff adopted :—One
horse and one man, one shilling; one man, three
In 1802, the ferry appears to have passed into the
hands of Silas Person, the charges being also ad¬
vanced.
The following is a record of the public money as¬
signed by the Justices to the respective Municipal¬
ities :—
ity Cl
Edwardsburg, 1798 WRELEULUTTCELEAEEELS Ce ees 9 4 4
“i ED esd ek tide REAR) a s ks Ie aot 76°52. ő
66 ERO 4 ius. heg ejts ép The oy VAL ST eee hao m°° 9.4
we “ ki #