es.

3. Short title.

An Act to continue temporarily certain Powers for the Removal of Difficulties at Elections under the Local Government Act, 1894. [6th March 1896.]

BE it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

to

1.-(1.) If any difficulty arises with respect 0 any election of parish or district councillors or of guardians, or to the first meeting after any ordinary election of such councillors or guardians, or if, from an election not being held, or being defective, or otherwise, the council or board has not been properly constituted, the county council may by order make any appointment or do anything which appears

to them necessary or expedient for the proper holding of any such election or meeting, and properly constituting the council or board, and may, if it appears to them necessary, direct the holding of an election or meeting, and fix the dates for any such election or meeting.

(2.) Any such order may modify the pro- 56 & 57 Vict. visions of the Local Government Act, 1894, and c. 73. the enactments applied by, or rules framed under, that Act, so far as may appear to the county council necessary or expedient for carrying the order into effect.

(3.) A county council may delegate their powers under this section to a committee.

2. This Act shall continue in force until the Duration. thirty-first day of December one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, and no longer, unless continued by Parliament.

3. This Act may be cited as the Local Short title. Government (Elections) Act, 1896.

An Act to provide, during Twelve Months, for the Discipline and Regulation of the Army.

[27th March 1896.]

WHEREAS the raising or keeping of a standing army within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in time of peace, unless it be with the consent of Parliament, is against law:

And whereas it is adjudged necessary by Her Majesty and this present Parliament, that a body of forces should be continued for the safety of the United Kingdom and the defence of the possessions of Her Majesty's Crown, and that the whole number of such forces should consist of one hundred and fifty-six thousand one hundred and seventy-four, including those to be employed at the depôts in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the training of recruits for service at home and abroad, but exclusive of the numbers actually serving within Her Majesty's Indian possessions:

And whereas it is also judged necessary for the safety of the United Kingdom, and the defence of the possessions of this realm, that a body of Royal Marine forces should be employed in Her Majesty's fleet and naval service, under the direction of the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, or the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral aforesaid:

And whereas the said marine forces may frequently be quartered or be on shore, or sent to do duty or be on board transport ships or vessels, merchant ships or vessels, or other ships or vessels, or they may be under other circumstances in which they will not be subject to the laws relating to the government of Her Majesty's forces by

sea:

And whereas no man can be forejudged of life or limb, or subjected in time of peace to any kind of punishment within this realm by

martial law, or in any other manner than by the judgment of his peers and according to the known and established laws of this realm; yet nevertheless it being requisite, for the retaining all the before-mentioned forces, and other persons subject to military law, in their duty, that an exact discipline be observed, and that persons belonging to the said forces who mutiny or stir up sedition, or desert Her Majesty's service, or are guilty of crimes and offences to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, be brought to a more exemplary and speedy punishment than the usual forms of the law will allow :

And whereas the Army Act will expire in 44 & 45 Vic the year one thousand eight hundred and c. 58. ninety-six on the following days:

(a.) In the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, on the thirtieth day of April; and

(b.) Elsewhere in Europe, inclusive of Malta, also in the West Indies and America, on the thirty-first day of July; and

(c.) Elsewhere, whether within or without Her Majesty's dominions, on the thirtyfirst day of December:

Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1. This Act may be cited as the Army Short title (Annual) Act, 1896.

c. 58.)

force for specified

2.-(1.) The Army Act shall be and remain Army Act (44 & 45 V in force during the periods herein-after mentioned, and no longer, unless otherwise pro- to be in vided by Parliament; that is to say, (a.) Within the United Kingdom, the times. Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, from the thirtieth day of April one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six to the thirtieth day of April one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, both inclusive; and

(b.) Elsewhere in Europe, inclusive of Malta, also in the West Indies and America, from the thirty-first day of July one thousand eight hundred and ninetysix to the thirty-first day of July one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, both inclusive; and

(c.) Elsewhere, whether within or without Her Majesty's dominions, from the thirtyfirst day of December one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six to the thirtyfirst day of December one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, both inclusive; and the day from which the Army Act is continued in any place by this Act is in relation to that place referred to in this Act as the commencement of this Act.

(2.) The Army Act, while in force, shall apply to persons subject to military law, whether within or without Her Majesty's dominions.

3. Power to the Treasury to borrow.

4. Short title,