THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES 275

satisfactory, half the expenses will be met by the Central Govern-
ment. Subject to this control, the County Police are responsible
for all police duties within their area. As readers of detective
stories know, the Chief Constable may call in the help of the
C.I.D., when the problem is one of special difficulty or requires
nation-wide police action. To create so expert a body as the
C.I.D., and then limit its work at the will of local authorities
may seem a surprising procedure; it arises from the desire for
local independence, and the reluctance to give executive power
to anyone appointed by the Central Government. When
emergencies arise, or when a local function takes away many of
the police away from their ordinary duties, the Justices can
appoint any citizen as a Special Constable; they can even fine
those who refuse to serve, though a recent use of this power
provoked considerable criticism.

THE BOfcOUGH.

Of all local authorities, the Borough combines most fully
ancient dignity and modern power. The Crown, in its struggle
against the feudal nobility, sought to win the support of the
townsfolk by granting them special privileges set forth in a
Charter of Incorporation as a Borough. In the lyth century,
however, most of the larger towns, particularly London, were
opposed to the King, and Charles II, on his restoration,
attempted to reduce their status, though without much success.
To this day Boroughs%are> still created by Charter, and an Urban
or Rural District which desires the honour, gives notice to its
County Council and to the Minister of Health, and makes petition
to the King. An enquiry is held in the District by the Minister,
and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council reports on the
petition. The Charter may then be granted by an Order in
Council, but if as few as five per cent, of the local ratepayers
object, an Act of Parliament will be necessary. The day on which
an Urban District becomes a Borough is welcomed by local
celebrations, attended by the Mayors of neighbouring Boroughs,