CIVIC AFFAIRS. Before 1855 the administration of the town depended largely on the colonial government, volunteer organizations, and the citizens themselves. Local improve— ments of any magnitude were dealt with by the colony, while the simpler tasks, such as clearing and lighting the streets and fighting fires, were the responsibilities of the citizens. Each householder had to light and clean the street lamp nearest his house and the streets were maintained by statute labour. Citi— zens were expected to keep fire buckets for emergencies, man the bucket brigade, and help pump the hand—operated engine when it came into use. Regulations were largely confined to such functions as preventing the running at large of animals, ordering the disposal of rubbish, keeping wells in sanitary condition, and requiring the erection of fences. Charities and social services were left to local organizations and individuals, although the Legislature rendered some small assistance by means of grants to those seeking its co—operation by petition.

In 1855 it was decided that Charlottetown should be made a city and given a municipal administration. Accord— ingly the City of Charlottetown Incorporation Act was passed by the Legislature in the spring of that year. The first council was elected on August 7th. It was composed of a Mayor, elected at large, and ten “Common Councilmen”, two for each of five wards, all elected for two years by the open vote of male property owners and tenants. The personnel was as follows:

Mayor—Robert HutchinSUn.

Councillors:

Ward 1—Robert Longworth, Benjamin Davies.

Ward 2~J0hn C. MacDonald, Donald MacIsaac.

Ward 3—Artemas Simms, Silas Bernard.

Ward 4~Thomas Dodd, David Stewart.

Ward 5—Thomas Pethick, Richard Heartz.

This administration was empowered to make by—laws for the “good rule, peace, welfare, and government” of the City, which would include such local functions as police pro—

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