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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 convenience, 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 establishment 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 Johnstown. 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 Constable. Abel Stevens, an elder of the Baptist Church, and the first settler of the Township of Bastard, appeared 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 advanced. The following is a record of the public money assigned by the Justices to the respective Municipalities :— 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 #
