68 



but he might not be able to make the experiment himself, and 

 hoped it might be done by some one more competent to the 

 task. 



SECTION FOR STATISTICS AND SOCIOLOGY. 

 March 12th, 1861. 

 A Paper was read by Mr. Thos. R. Wilkinson, furnishing 

 statistics connected with the sale of beer and spirituous liquors, 

 with a view to enquire whether such sale had any effect on 

 the criminal returns, and how far the legislature would be 

 justified in a further interference with it. 



The number of licensed victuallers in the United Kingdom 



in 1860, was 107,024, and the number of beer sellers, 45,198. 



The licensed victuallers represent interests which directly 



concern £50,000,000. worth of property, and maintain 



1,000,000 of people. 



The revenue derived from beer and spirits in the year 1832, 

 was £15,000,000., or 29-41 per cent, of the whole revenue. 

 In 1858, this revenue amounted to £21,000,000., or 31-34 

 per cent, of the whole revenue. The increase of this revenue 

 had been 40 per cent., whilst the increase of the population 

 was 25 per cent. 



In 1831, the amount derived from licenses for the sale of 



£. £. 



Beer amounted to ...273,871 And the year 1859 to... 384, 178 



Spirits „ ...395,697 „ „ ...563,400 



Wine „ .. . 73,026 „ „ . .. 88,238 



£742,594 £1,035^816 



An increase of 39*62 per cent. 



An Act for closing public houses, from Saturday night at 

 Twelve o'clock, until One o'clock on Sunday, came into 

 operation in 1847-8. 



For eight years before the passing of that Act, the annual 

 averao-e number ^of persons taken into custody by the Man- 

 chester police was 10,658, whilst after the Act was passed the 

 annual average was only 5,37 1 . 



