The sessions of the council are presided over by its

ead, or in the event of there

eing no head, or in his default to act, or in his absence, by one of its membe:s, chosen from the councillors present.

In the case of an equal division of votes in the choice ofa presiding officer, the member present chosen by lot presides at the council board.

132. The presiding officer of the council maintains order and decorum and decides questions of order, saving appeal to the council.

He has and may exercise, subject to an appeal to the council, all powers conferred by article 301 on the presiding officer at an election.

133. Every disputed question is decided by a majority of the votes of the members present, “xcepting in case where in conformity with the provisions of this code, the votes of two thirds of the members of the council or of the members present, are required.

134. The chief of the council and the presiding officer, if also members of the council, vote each time a question is put to the vote; an in case of an equal division of votes, they have in addition the casting

| vote.

If the presiding officer be not also a councillor, he can only vote in the case of an equal

| division of votes.

In case of an equal division

“voix, le président est toujours | of votes, the presiding officer is tenu de donner sa voix prépon- |always bound to give the castderante.—S. R. Q. 6051. ing vote.

Jurisp.-1. Le maire d'un Conseil local n’a le droit de voter durant les sessions qu'il préside en cette su que lorsqu'il y a égalité de votes, Lemieur vs Cantin. 7Q.L. R. 16 ; 4 L, N. 158. (Cette décision est clairement contraire à la loi.)