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CHAPTEE XVIII. 



The Eegulation or Commons. 



It has already been shown that there are two very 

 distinct processes by which Commons may be placed 

 under schemes of regulation ; viz : (1) Under the 

 Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866, and (2) under 

 the Commons Act of 1876. The first of these Acts, 

 applying to Commons within the Metropolitan Police 

 area, about fifteen miles from Charing Cross, provides 

 that the Agricultural Department, on the application 

 of any Commoners, of the Local Authority of the 

 district, or of twelve inhabitants,* may approve of a 

 scheme for the regulation of a Common, subject to its 

 confirmation by Parliament. Under such a scheme the 

 Common may be practically taken out of the hands of 

 the Lord of the Manor, and placed under the charge 

 and management of the Local Authority, or of a body 

 of Conservators specially constituted, for the main- 

 tenance of order, the prevention of nuisances, and the 

 due regulation of the various rights over it, with 

 power to make bye-laws for the purpose. If the Lord 

 of the Manor gives his consent, the scheme is thence- 

 forward binding upon him and his successors, and the 

 Common can never be inclosed, wholly or partially, 

 under the Statute of Merton, or otherwise. If he does 



* See "Metropolitan Commons Amendment Act, 1869." 



