The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-11 00:00:00

NEW LAWS.

Yesterday the Queen's printer issued the Act for
removing certain doubts as to the law for the trial of contra
voted election.. The preamble recites that petitions have
been presented in several cases to the House of Commms,
complaining of an undue election or return of a member or
members to serve in parliament; such petitions being en-
dorsed by a certificate under the hand of the examiner of re-
cegniaances, to the effect that the recognisance" required by
the 7 and 8 Vic., c. 103, have been entered into and received
by him, with affidavits annexed. In some of such cases
doubts have been entertained as to the validity of the recog-
finances so entered into ; and in some of the cases wherein
sueh doubts have been entertained, other petitions have also
been presented from the sitting members, complaining of the
invalidity of the recognisanccs entered into, and praying for
relief in the premises. The present act is intended to put an
end to such doubts, and to prescribe a mole of proceeding
with respect to the determination of petitions. Hereafter,
sitting members may, in all cues of election petitions pre
sented before the lit of March, object to the recognisance,
on grounds omitted to be specified in recited act. The
soh ct committee appointed to try election petitions shall in-
quire first into such preliminary objection, and if the recog-
nisance be good, proceed to try the merits of the return. If
recognisance% are invalid through the neglect of the peti-
tioners, no further proceedings to be had on the petition. If
recognisances are void, but rot through the neglect of the
petitioners, or if of doubtful effect, committee may amend
the same, or petitioners may enter into new recognisance'.
Amended or new recognisances to have the same effect as
when originally entered into, and the decision of the com-
mittee that the note is goad to be final.
TIER ACT FOR AUTHORISING A POLICE
oeU FUND was is.ued a few days ago. It recites
that for the encouragement of constables to continue in the
police force, "and to behave themselves in an orderly man•
ner," it is advisable that municipal authorities be authorised
to establish • fund to assist those who may be disabled by
bodily injury or worn out by length of service. It is there-
fore enacted that councils of boroughs may establish such
police superannuation funds. The superannuation funds to
be supported iby contributions of the police force, equal to
one 36th part of pay, and from fines imposed on any of the
constables for misconduct, and all moneys arising from the
sale of castoff clothing supplied for the use of the police, and
all moneys paid for the service of summons or orders and
execution of warrants by the police. The fund is to be kept
separate from the borough fund. The rates of superannua-
tion or retiring allowances to be : Constables who shall have
served as police constable in the police force fur fifteen
years successively as a private police constable, or as !sergeant
or inspector, acting inspector, superintendent, or bead officer,
or any or all of those ranks, oh ill lie entitled then to retire
on a yearly superaneuation allowance of an amount equal o
half bits full pay ; but if he shall then be able and willing to
continue to serve as a police constable, and the Watch Com-
mittee shall consent thereto, he shall then receive his full pay
as a constable from the borough fund, and also one third, but
no more, of the above named allowance front the superannu-
ation fund; and when he shall have served as aforesaid for
twenty years, he shall be entitled to retire on a yearly pen-
sion equal to two thirds of his full pay ; but if he shall then
he able and willing still to serve es a police constable, and
the Watch Committee shall consent thereto, he shall then re•
ceive his full pay as a constable from the borough fund, and
also one third part, and no more, of the said last named
allowance from the superannuation fund; and if at any time
any police constable so entitled to a retiring pension, but re-
ceiving a reduced pension, while continuing to serve as a
constable, shall retire from the police force, he shall thence-
forth receive the full pension he would have been entitled to
receive had he not continued so to serve: provided, that if the
constable has served in different ranks, rate of superannuation
to be regulated accordingly. No constable to be auperannu-
ted under 50, unless unfit for service. If any party shall.
have served with diligence and fidelity in the police force
for ten years successively, and from injury received in the
'service, or from infirmity of mind or bony, shall become in-
capable of discharging the duties of his office, and such last
named circumstance shall be certified by the police surgeon
for the time being,thereupon it shall be lawful for the Witch
Committee to order such constable to be superannuated, and
to receive cut of the police superannuation fund any super-
annuation allowance whiclesuch Watch Committee shall see
fit to order, not exceeding half his full pay as before men-
tioned. Constable dismissed or retiring are to forfeit all
claim, lint if restored may have time of former service
allowed. Moneys paid to superannuation fund to be employed