Tribal Lands—Sec. 270 60
Maintenance of Peace and Order—Sec. 290 61
Regulation of Conduct of Government Officials—Sec. 310 63
Part II. RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND PROHIBITIONS
Applicable Laws—Sec. 350 66
Status of Aborigines—Sec. 370 66
Domestic Relations—Sec. 400 67
Regulation of Conduct of Aborigines—Sec. 420 69
Miscellaneous 71
Part III. REPEALERS
Repealers—Sec. 600 72
Definition of Tribal Jurisdiction.-The term “Tribal Jurisdiction” means the administrative control exercised by those government officials and agencies appointed or established under the provisions of this Title.
Cross reference:
Definitions of Hinterland and County Area, see Local Government L., sec. 1.
Chapter 2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROVINCES
Cross references: Provincial Industrial High Schools, see Education L., sec. 33. Voting polls in the provinces, see Election L., ch. 10.
§10 . Division of the Hinterland into provinces.-The Hinterland of the Republic of Liberia shall be divided for administrative purposes into three provinces, namely: the Western Province; the Central Province; and the Eastern Province.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 1.
Cross reference:
Division of Republic into County Area and Hinterland, see Local Government L., sec. 1.
§11 . Provincial boundaries.-The provincial boundaries are defined as follows:
The Western Province shall extend from the Anglo- Liberian boundary on the northwest to the St. Paul River, which shall form the southeastern boundary, and from the eastern boundary of the County Area as defined in section 1 of the Local Government Law to the Franco- Liberian boundary on the north.
The Central Province shall extend from the St. Paul River to the Cestos or Nuon River, and from the eastern boundary of the County Area as defined in section 1 of the Local Government Law to the Franco- Liberian boundary on the north.
The Eastern Province shall extend from the Cestos or Nuon River to the Cavalla River and from the eastern boundary of the County Area as defined in section 1 of the Local Government Law to the Franco- Liberian boundary on the north.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 2.
§ 12. Provincial Headquarters.- Provincial Headquarters shall be established at such places as may be deemed suitable for central administration, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 8.
§ 13. Government of provinces.- A Provincial Commissioner shall be appointed in each province to be in charge, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, of the general administrative supervision of its affairs. Provincial Commissioners shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall serve during the pleasure of the President.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 5.
§ 14. Provincial and Executive Councils.- Each Provincial Commissioner shall annually convoke a Provincial Council at such point within the province as may to him appear most appropriate and convenient for attendance. The purpose of such Councils shall be the improvement of the economic, domestic, industrial, and social welfare of the tribes, and the problems shall be investigated with a view to reaching practical solutions. A Provincial Council shall be conducted regularly every year unless waived by the President or the Secretary of the Interior.
The Provincial Commissioner shall also hold an Executive Council at the beginning of every year with the District and Assistant District Commissioners of his province at Provincial Headquarters for the purpose of formulating plans for the conduct and administration of the province. Before being executed, such plans shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Interior for his approval.
The members of the Provincial and Executive Councils shall be the District and Assistant District Commissioners, the revenue agents, mining agents, commanding officers of the Frontier Force, and such other agents of government as are residents of the province, together with Paramount and Clan Chiefs. The Provincial Representatives to the National Legislature may also be invited to attend.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 5 (b).
§ 15. Investigation of charges against officials.—The Provincial Commissioner shall investigate any complaint or charge brought by any person or group of persons against a District Commissioner for irregular practices, administrative misfeasance, or other improper conduct adversely affecting the public good or infringing upon the private rights of any person. If the investigation shall prove the complaint or charge to be true, prompt and suitable action shall be taken against the official charged and such penalty imposed as provided for by regulations according to the gravity of the offense. The Provincial Commissioner shall also exercise appellate jurisdiction in case of charges brought against a subordinate official and investigated by a District Commissioner of his province.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 5 (c).
Cross reference:
District Commissioner to investigate charge against subordinate officials, see sec. 35 (h) of this Title.
§ 16. Tour of districts.—The Provincial Commissioner shall visit each district in his province at least once a year in order to inform himself concerning the social and economic welfare of the inhabitants. Two weeks before leaving for such a tour, he shall submit a full itinerary to the Secretary of the Interior for his information, and also a detailed report at the end of the tour covering his general activities and embracing such suggestions and recommendations as he may deem appropriate.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 5 (d).
§ 17. Other duties of Provincial Commissioners.—In addition to the duties stated in the foregoing sections, a Provincial Commissioner shall be charged with the following:
(a) He shall review every district budget for public local development and improvement within the various districts of his province and check the expenditures thereof during the yearly Provincial Council, or at another meeting called for the purpose at a convenient time.
(b) Before adopting any novel procedure affecting policy, he shall refer it to the Secretary of the Interior for his approval.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 5 (a), (e), and (f).
Cross references:
Court of the Provincial Commissioner, see sec. 122 of this Title.
Provincial Commissioners to serve as advisers to trustees of trust fund from mining royalties, see Revenue and Finance L., sec. 70.
§ 18. Administrative organization of provinces.—The administrative organization of each province shall consist of the Provincial Commissioner and his staff; the District and Assistant District Commissioner and their staff; mining agents; revenue agents; and all other agents of government operating within the province.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 6.
§ 19. Provincial Commissioner’s staff.—The staff of a Provincial Commissioner shall consist of one clerk with the rank of an Assistant District Commissioner at the salary for the latter post and such other employees as may be provided by regulation.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 7.
Chapter 3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE DISTRICTS
§ 30. Division of provinces into districts.—Each province shall be subdivided into districts as follows:
Western Province shall consist of the following districts:
(a) District Number One
(b) District Number Two
(c) District Number Three
(d) District Number Four
Central Province shall consist of the following districts:
(a) District Number One
(b) District Number Two
(c) District Number Three
(d) District Number Four
Eastern Province shall consist of the following districts:
(a) District Number One
(b) District Number Two
The number of districts established by this section may be increased or decreased from time to time in accordance with regulations issued by the Provincial Commissioner.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 3; L. 1914, 16, secs. 5, 6; L. 1904- 05, 25 (2nd), sec. 3.
§31 . Territory comprising districts.
Western Province
District Number One shall comprise the territory occupied by the Gorjey- Gola, Korngba- Gola, Lofa- Gola, Bokomu- Kpell, Bopolu- Kpell, Belleh, Mecca- Mandingo, and Dey Chiefs.
District Number Two shall comprise the territory occupied by the Gbandi, Gissi, and Guma- Mendi Chiefs.
District Number Three shall comprise the territory occupied by the Bonde- Wumbamai- Lorma, and Wygromai- Wonniguomai- Mandingo Chiefs.
District Number Four shall comprise the territory occupied by the Blurama- Gizima- Ziama Lorma and Gbarlein- Vavala- Palamakpell Chiefs.
Central Province
District Number One shall comprise the territory occupied by the Jorquelli- Kpell, Panta- Kpell, Zota- Kpell, Kpaai- Kpell, and Kokoya- Bassa Chiefs.
District Number Two shall comprise the territory occupied by the Zoe- Geh, Gbehley- Geh, Sacklepea- Mah, and Sanniqellie- Mah Chiefs.
District Number Three shall comprise the territory occupied by the Kpairplay- Gbi- Doru, Ammalgamated- Gio, and Yarwein- Mensonneh- Mah Chiefs
District Number Four shall comprise the territory occupied by the Nyaforquelleh- Kpell, Duquelleh or Kakata- Kpell, Sanoyea- Kpell, Forma- Kpell, and Gibi- Bassa Chiefs.
Eastern Province
District Number One shall comprise the territory occupied by the Grebo Tribes consisting of the following Chiefdoms: Dedebo, Gedebo, Pallipo, Gbaepo, Barrobo, Glarro, Buah Tuobo, and Webbo Chiefdoms.
District Number Two shall comprise the territory occupied by the Krahn Tribes consisting of the following Chiefdoms: Gbarzon B’Hai, Konobo, Gleyo, Putu, Tchien, Gborboe, and Nearboe.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 4.
§32 . District Headquarters.- District Headquarters shall be established at the following places:
Western Province: Number 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bopolu
Kolahun
Voinjama
Zorzor
Central Province: Number 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gbarnga
Sanniquellie
Tappeta
Salala
Eastern Province: Number 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N’yaake
Zwedru
The District Headquarters as stated herein may be changed by the President or the Secretary of the Interior as expediency may dictate.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 9.
§33 . District government.- Each district shall be governed by an official to be known as a District Commissioner. District Commissioners shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall serve during the pleasure of the President.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), arts. 10, 11.
§34 . Classes of District Commissioners.- District Commissioners shall be of three classes, First, Second, and Third. Upon his first appointment, every District Commissioner shall be graded as a Third Class Commissioner. After three years of service, he may be promoted to Second Class provided his service record has been excellent; and if it continues excellent for another five years, he may be promoted to First Class.
The salaries for District Commissioners in each of the three grades shall be provided by budgetary appropriation.
Prior legislation; Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 13; L. 1919- 20, ch. XXI, sec. 2; L. 1914, 16, sec. 77 (a), (b), (d).
§35 . Administrative duties of District Commissioners.
(a) The District Commissioner shall, under the direction and supervision of the Provincial Commissioner, have general administrative supervision over all governmental activities in his district.
(b) He shall be responsible for the enforcement of all laws and regulations and for the maintenance of public peace and order in the district.
(c) He shall supervise, organize and encourage the development of native arts, crafts, and industries, and shall exert all efforts to promote the domestic welfare of the people within his district.
(d) He shall encourage the establishment of markets at strategic points in the interior, and shall give every assistance to traders and merchants desiring to establish themselves in the district.
(e) He shall keep himself informed at all times of the social, political, and economic conditions within his district and shall take prompt action to correct any condition detrimental to the public welfare or prejudicial to ordered government.
(f) He may issue District Orders which shall have the full force and effect of law if not in conflict with any existing law or regulation. Such District Orders, copies of which shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior, shall be effective only upon approval of the Provincial Commissioner.
(g) He shall supervise tribal administration, making frequent patrols at least twice a year in each section in order to keep himself informed through personal observation of existing conditions and activities. Paramount Chiefs shall exercise administrative authority to the fullest extent, but District Commissioners shall be held responsible to prevent them from engaging in unlawful administrative practices, abuses, or oppressive measures.
(h) He shall investigate complaints of irregular administrative practices or unsatisfactory conditions adversely affecting the public good. If investigation shows such complaints or charges to be true, he shall immediately apply requisite remedial measures if within his authority, and if not, he shall immediately apply to the Provincial Commissioner for instructions.
(i) He shall prepare and forward to the Provincial Commissioner a monthly report, a copy of which shall be sent to the Secretary of the Interior. Such reports shall cover the activities in the district during the previous month and shall include the following subjects:
The stage and progress of agricultural development;
The political attitude of the tribes, clans or district as a whole;
The state of education in both government supported and missionary schools;
Trade and markets;
The register of births and deaths, which must be kept at Headquarters;
State of roads and bridges;
Crimes and penalties;
Number and kind of civil actions tried before him;
Technical service reports which shall detail public works activities, addressed to the Secretary of Public Works and Utilities, through the Secretary of the Interior.
(j) He shall prepare and forward to the President and Secretary of the Interior any confidential reports required by them.
(k) In the absence of the regularly attached representative of a technical service, the District Commissioner shall act as representative of that service.
(1) A regular inventory of all government properties purchased from time to time shall be kept at District or Provincial Headquarters and certified copies thereof forwarded to the Department of the Interior.
(m) All reports or letters and other official documents sent or received shall also be kept on file at the Provincial and District Headquarters respectively, and shall not be removed therefrom by any Commissioner when leaving his office or district under penalty of a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), arts. 14, 19; L. 1914, 16, secs. 12, 29- 35, 76.
Cross references:
District Commissioners to serve as advisers to trustees of trust fund from mining royalties, see Revenue and Finance L., sec. 70 (5). Court of the District Commissioner, see sec. 123 of this Title.
§ 36. General Council of Chiefs.—A General Council of Chiefs shall be held at each District Headquarters once a year for the purpose of reviewing the tribal government of the district, making local rules and regulations not in conflict with existing laws and regulations, and devising a better method of effective coordination of tribal administration with the technical services operating in the district. The District Commissioner shall preside over this Council. The General Council of Chiefs shall meet for no longer a time than is absolutely necessary.
In addition, the District Commissioner may whenever necessary assemble the Tribal Authority of any tribe or of all tribes within the district in a General Council at District Headquarters for conference on any district affairs or measures of vital public interest affecting the welfare of the people or progress in the development of the district.
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), arts. 16, 26 (f).
§37 Administrative organization of districts.- The administrative organization of each district shall be composed of the District Commissioner and an Assistant District Commissioner; such other officers and employees as may be fixed by regulation; and the Council of Chiefs (Paramount and Clan Chiefs).
Prior legislation: Hint. Reg. (app. L. 1949- 50, ch. XXXVI), art. 12 (a). Cross reference:
Powers of District Commissioners as to prisons, see Criminal Procedure L., sec. 707.
§38 Consultative Board of the district.- Representatives of each of the government technical services shall comprise the District Commissioner’s Consultative Board, among them the representatives of the customs, revenue, agriculture, educational, medical, public works, and radio telegraphic agencies of the government and the military commander of the district.
In order to insure the efficient functioning of these services, the Commissioner shall exercise the general administrative supervision over these officials, but they shall receive their orders in connection with the discharge of their particular duties direct from the department or agency with which they are affiliated. Copies of general orders affecting any technical service shall be forwarded to the Commissioner for his information and, where necessary, for his special collaboration to the end of its enforcement.
The Commissioner shall in no way hamper the technical officials