The Act
The Act was a short one, consisting of only three sections. Section 1 provided that:
..the council of every borough may from time to time, by the authority of not less than two-thirds of their number present and voting at a meeting of the council specially called for the purpose with notice of the object, admit to be honorary freeman of the borough persons of distinction and any persons who have rendered eminent services to the borough...
The Act further explained that the honorary freedom did not give the recipient the right to vote in parliamentary or other elections for the borough, or to enjoy any of the rights and interests of existing freemen.
The Act received the royal assent on 22 July 1885, and Kingston-upon-Hull Town Council moved quickly to use the new legislation to honour their High Steward. At a special meeting of the council held on 29 July, the Marquess of Ripon became the first honorary freeman of Hull, and the first recipient of the honour under the 1885 Act.
Read more about this topic: Honorary Freedom Of Boroughs Act 1885
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