paid. dollars, for each and every offence; one half of said fine Fine to whom to be paid into the treasury of the county, and the balance to be paid to the person or persons making the complaint and prosecuting such offender or offenders; and when any fine is imposed by virtue of this, the offender shall stand committed until fine and costs are paid. 3. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately. Approved March 10, 1880. CHAPTER CVIII. An Act giving the consent of the legislature of the state of New Jersey to the purchase by the United States, of land within the state for public purposes. U.S. government zines, &c., for a 1. BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of Consent given to the State of New Jersey, That the consent of the legislature to erect maga of New Jersey be, and the same is hereby given, to the powder depot. purchase by the government of the United States, or under the authority of the same, of any tract, piece or parcel of land from any individual or individuals, bodies politic or corporate, within the boundaries or limits of the state, for the purpose of erecting thereon magazines and other needful buildings to be used as a powder depot for the ordinance department of the United States army; and all deeds, conveyances of title papers for the same shall be recorded as in other cases upon the land records of the county in which the land so conveyed may be; the consent herein and hereby given being in accordance with the seventeenth clause of the eighth section of the first article of the constitution of the United States, and with the acts of congress in such cases made and provided. 2. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately. Approved March 10, 1880. Canal companies may extend time their work by office of secretary of state. CHAPTER CX. An Act concerning canals. 1. BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly for completion of of the State of New Jersey, That it shall be lawful for any filing certificate canal company heretofore created and existing or hereafter created under or by virtue of any law of this state to extend the time limited in its charter or certificate of organization for the completion of its works for a period not exceeding ten years, upon filing in the office of the secretary of state a certificate under its common seal attested by the signature of its presiding officer, declaring its desire at the time so limited for the completion of its works shall be extended for a period not exceeding ten years. 2. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately. Approved March 10, 1880. Taxpayers may institute and or suits in cer CHAPTER CXI. An Act to protect the interests of counties and townships by allowing taxpayers in certain cases to prosecute suits in their behalf, and to intervene in actions by or against them. 1. BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of prosecute actions the State of New Jersey, That where any member of the board of chosen freeholders of any county, or of the township committee of any township, is or may be interested adversely to such county or township upon any tain cases. claim or demand of such county or township, or where, without good cause, the board of chosen freeholders of any county or the township committee of any township fail or neglect to prosecute any claim or demand of such county or township, it shall be lawful for any court in which an action or suit on such claim or demand is cognizable to allow any taxpayer or taxpayers of such county or township (being also resident or residents therein) to institute and prosecute an action or suit upon such claim or demand in the name of and on behalf of such county or township if, in the opinion of the court, the interests of said county or township require or would be promoted thereby, such order to be made upon such terms as the court may impose. intervene in any behalf of any county. 2. And be it enacted, That in any action or suit brought Taxpayers may or to be brought in any of the courts of this state by or action or suit on against any county or township in which the interest of township or any member of the board of chosen freeholders or of the township committee is or may be adverse to the said county or township, or where other good cause may be shown, it shall be lawful for the court, or a judge thereof, if in the supreme court, to allow any taxpayer or taxpayers of such county or township (being also residents therein) to intervene in said suit on behalf of said county or township, if, in the opinion of the court or judge, the interests of such county or township require or would be promoted thereby, such intervention to be upon such terms as the court or judge may impose; provided, however, that this act shall not apply to or in any way affect any suit or suits now pending in any of the courts of this state. 3. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately. Approved March 10, 1880. Proviso. Incorporated cities may create the offices of comptroller and &c. CHAPTER CXII. An Act to enable cities to create the office of comp troller. 1. BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, That it shall and may be lawful define his duties, for any incorporated city in this state, wherein the office of comptroller does not now exist to create and establish the office of comptroller for such city, whenever the city council thereof, shall by the passage of an ordinance determine so to do, which ordinance shall define the duties of said officer in conformity with this act, and shall fix his salary not exceeding in amount fifty dollars for each thousand of population of said city, and the amount of bond which shall be required from him. Comptroller how elected and term of office. Comptroller to take oath and give bond. 2. And be it enacted, That said comptroller shall be selected in each city adopting said ordinance, and establishing such office, by the city council of said city, at the first stated meeting after the passage of the ordinance mentioned in the preceding section, and the person so elected shall hold his office for the term of three years and until his successor is elected and qualified. 3. And be it enacted, That said comptroller before entering upon the duties of his office shall take and subscribe before any officer authorized to administer oaths and affirmations in this state, an oath or affirmation faithfully to execute the duties of his office to the best of his knowledge, skill and ability, and such other oath or affirmation as the laws of the state of New Jersey, or the council electing said officer may require, which oath or affirmation shall be filed by the city clerk in his office; he shall give good and sufficient bond for the faithful performance of the duties of his office in such sum as the city council electing him shall direct, and shall receive as compensation for his services such salary as said city council shall prescribe, said salary not to be increased or diminished during the term of his office. ers of comptrol 4. And be it enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Duties and powsaid comptroller to sign all warrants on the city trea-ler." surer; to superintend all fiscal concerns of the city in such manner and to report thereon at such times as city council shall direct by ordinance; to keep separate accounts of all appropriations made by city council to each and every department of the city government, and to require all warrants on the treasurer to state particularly against which appropriation the said warrant is drawn; the said comptroller, upon receiving a bill or warrant, shall examine the same, and if it be for any purpose for which there is no appropriation, or the appropriation for which is exhausted, or to which for any other cause he cannot give his approval, he shall report the fact to the department having charge of the bill or claim against the city, and the warrant in such case shall not be signed except by special authority or direction of city council; he shall upon the death, resignation, removal or expiration of the term of office of any officer or person who by law may be authorized to receive or disburse moneys of the city, for which said comptroller is acting as aforesaid, audit and examine the accounts of such officer or person and report the conditition of his business to city council; he shall before the payment of any claim against the city first audit the bill containing or making up said claim, with a view to ascertain whether the supplies charged to the city, or services alleged to have been rendered, have been furnished and rendered as stated, and whether the sum or sums demanded therefor are proper, and after so auditing shall return said bill to the department having control of the appropriation against which said claim is made, and against which the warrant is to be drawn; he shall, as often as he may deem necessary, or as city. council shall require, suggest plans to said city council for the improvement, advantage and better management of the city finances; he shall have control of the fiscal concerns of all departments, bureaux, and officers of the city in which he holds his office as aforesaid, and may require at any time from any or all of said departments, |