Thames Watermen Act 1698

III. Rules for Choice, &c. of Overseers and Rulers, by Court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London.

Duty and Powers of the said Overseers and Rulers; May summon Lightermen, and register them; and take general Order respecting the said Matters.

And be it alsoe enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there shall be Yearly appointed elected and chosen by the Court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London for the time being the Number of Eight Persons of the most wise discreete and best sort of Watermen and the Number of Three Persons out of Twelve Persons to be Yearely nominated by the Lightermen of the most wise discreet and best Sort of Lightermen being Householders having Two Lighters or Flat Boats upon the said River between Gravesend and Windsor which Elections shall be Yearly at the First Court of Aldermen to be holden within the said City next after the First Day of June And the said Eleaven Persons soe elected shall be named and called the Overseers and Rulers of all the Wherrymen Watermen and Lightermen that from and after the said First Day of June shall use occupy or exercize any Rowing upon the said River of Thames betwixt Gravesend and Windsor aforesaid Which said Overseers and Rulers shall keepe and maintaine good Orders and Obedience amongst the said Watermen and Lightermen according to the true Meaning of this present and former Acts And the said Eleaven Overseers and Rulers or the greater Part of them are hereby authorized from Time to Time to convene and call before them at the Hall of the said Company within the City of London and Liberties thereof all and every such Person or Persons which from and after the Nine and twentieth Day of June One thousand seaven hundred shall keepe or use in rowing or any Waies navigating any Lighter or other great Craft (except as before excepted) betwixt Gravesend and Windsor aforesaid and shall enter and register the Name and Names of them and every of them for Lightermen to row on the said River in a Book to be kept for the same Intent and Purpose and from Time to Time to take such Order and Direction therein with every of the said Parties by Authority of this present Act as it shall seeme meet and necessary by the Discretion of the said Overseers and Rulers for the Time being or the greater Part of them for the common Benefitt of His Majesties Subjects