630 REPORT—1883. 
not seem to suit them, from its lack of adventure; they make others unsettled ; 
-often leave homes by stealth, ; »» 
(f) Excessive cost—l5s. 7d. at Banstead per head per week. 
4, Experiment tried by Nottingham Guardians.—Children lodged apart from 
workhouse ; sent to nearest elementary school. Difficulty obviated with reference 
‘to mental instruction, still. in force with reference to too close association under 
mere official care and guidance. 
5. Boarding Out.—General Order of November 25, 1870, permitting boarding- 
-out beyond limits of union, Six hundred thus provided for; instances of excellence of 
method ; statistics of Northern district ; advantages of method ; children classified, 
divided into twos and threes ; placed in true homes; receive the nearest approach 
‘possible to parental love; have their schooling efficiently provided for ; communi- 
¢ation with workhouse entirely cut off; economy ; training of girls attended to ; 
boys not quite so fortunate. 
Suggestions were made for the combination and extension of systems. 
6. Southport as an Example of Modern Enterprise. By F. Norroux. 
The author said that the town provided an extraordinary example of rapidity 
of growth, and brilliantly showed what may be done in a short time. The popula- 
tion of what is now the borough of Southport in 1848 consisted of 623 residents ; 
in 1861 there was a population of 8,940; in 1883 it had grown to 35,065. At 
the census of 1881 the aggregate population of Southport and Birkdale was 
42,454. It would be easy to estimate by well-known rules what the increase had 
been since that time, and the total could not now be much less than 45,000. He had 
been supplied by Dr. Vernon with health statistics, which showed that Southport 
stood pre-eminent as a place of health. Further showing the growth of the town, 
the author stated that at the incorporation of the borough in 1867 there were 
1,369 burgesses, whilst in 1882 that number had increased to 4,891. The rateable 
value of the borough in 1867 was 26,207/., and it had increased to 192,661/. in the 
year 1882. This was exclusive of Hesketh and Scarisbrick wards, which were 
incorporated in 1878. At that time the rateable value of these two wards was 
10,789/., whilst last year it had reached 24,7227, In September 1882, a religious 
census, organised by the Southport Guardian, showed an attendance at religious 
worship of 87°8 per cent. of the population, leaving only 12-2 per cent. as non- 
‘attendants on that day. It was only fair to add that on the occasion referred to 
‘there was no special attraction to draw people to the town, whilst there were other 
things likely to draw thousands away from Southport. For many of his facts he 
‘was much indebted to a handbook recently published by Dr. McNicoll, of South- 
sport. He had a table before him (compiled by Mr. Hyde, a local stockbroker), 
‘showing the total amount of capital invested in local Limited Liability Companies 
‘which he enumerated, giving the total amount of capital and mortgage debts as 
amounting to 1,620,2307. For a town with a population of 45,000 that was 
undoubtedly good. The author referred to the handsome buildings which adorned 
the town, and stated that at the present time there were between 7,600 and 7,700 
inhabited houses in Southport and Birkdale. 
