Section 158 Power to reduce the number of trustees under local Act where a sufficient number of persons qualified cannot be found.

Where, under any local Act of inclosure, or under any award made under the authority of any local Act of inclosure, provision shall have been made for the election, from among persons having certain qualifications in respect of property or otherwise, of a number of trustees or other functionaries for making or maintaining works on the lands inclosed, or for any other local functions, and it shall appear to the commissioners that by reason of alterations in the state of property or otherwise persons cannot be found according to the qualifications required by such local Act of inclosure to fill up the number of trustees or other functionaries required by such local Act, it shall be lawful for the commissioners, after such inquiries as they shall think fit, upon the request and at the expence of any persons interested in the works to be made or maintained or in the functions to be performed by such trustees or functionaries, by order under the seal of the commissioners to declare that any such lesser number, in such order to be mentioned, of trustees or other functionaries, may be from time to time elected for the purposes or be competent to exercise and perform the powers and functions in such local Act of inclosure required or authorized to be exercised by the number of trustees or other functionaries directed to be elected by such local Act, and such lesser number shall be from time to time elected, and shall be competent to exercise and perform such powers and functions accordingly.