424 Transaciions ok thk Canadian Institute. [Vol. VII. 



government, and not tliat of New England, was practically brought 

 into operation in this province. This was mainly through the influence 

 of Governor Simcoe, aided by the justices of the peace already in the 

 field, who naturally wished to enlarge their powers. Hence the 

 municipal administration of the country centered in the Courts of 

 Quarter Sessions, whose members being appointed by the Governor-in- 

 Council were responsible to the Executive alone. 



The various acts passed for local administration simply enlarged the 

 powers of those courts to deal with municipal matters. In course of 

 time certain towns obtained special charters and with them a measure of 

 local self-government varying in range from town to town. But it was 

 only after the struggle for responsible government had resulted success- 

 fully, that representative municipal institutions, such as we now know 

 them, were introduced and applied to the whole Province. 



