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CHAPTER XVIII. 
Tur Recuiation or Commons. 
Iv 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 cut 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.” 
