TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 

 Table D. 



137 



Though the population had increased from 159,802 in 1835 to 318,732 in 1864, 

 the increase in the cost of local government in the same period had been so much 

 out of proportion thereto, that, whilst it was 4s. 5cl. per head in 1835, it had be- 

 come 10s. lOd. per head in 1864. This grave fact eminently deserves the most 

 anxious consideration of the Members of the Council of Birmingham, and of all 

 who wish well to Municipal Institutions. For many years this town has enjoyed 

 a remarkable measure of almost uninterrupted prosperity, which has enabled the 

 Burgesses to support this heavy expenditure with comparative ease; but should we 

 again be visited with bad times, it is to be feared that it would be felt as a grievous 

 calamity. It is, however, satisfactory to observe, that for the last several years 

 the expenditure per head has been nearly stationary, and it may be hoped that it 

 will now begin to diminish. 



To give a correct view of the magnitude and variety of the subjects compre- 

 hended within the jurisdiction of the Corporation, statements are appended of the 

 income and expenditure for the year 1864, from which it will be perceived that 

 several expensive items are included in the present municipal government, such as 

 public baths and parks, free libraries, and a borough cemetery, which did not come 

 within the scope either of the proceedings or the powers of the Commissioners. 



(The Tables referred to give the detailed receipts and expenditure for the year 

 1864, but are unavoidably omitted from want of space.) 



Table E.— Giving the amount of the nett unpaid balances of the public debt, and 



the annual charges thereon. 



Year. 



185a. 

 1858. 

 1864. 



Debt. 



Annual interest and 

 repayment of principal. 



£ 

 297,950 

 437,286 

 638,303 



£ 

 17,886 

 30,611 

 49,192 



From this statement it will appear that the increase has been as follows :- 



Table F. 



Population. 



Rateable value ... 

 Income (Table K). 

 Debt 



Interest and re- 

 payments on 

 account of debt. 



1852. 



1864. 



238,615 



£ 

 679,750 

 2,080,817 

 297,950 



17,886 



318,732 



£ 

 981,500 

 3,199,298 

 638,303 



49,192 



Increase. 



Percentage 

 increase. 



80,117 



£ 



301,750 



1,118,481 



34o,353 



31,306 



34 per cent. 



45 ,, 



54 „ 



IJ 4 „ 



175 » 



The property now in the possession of the Corporation, with its approximate 

 value, and also of the important public works and improvements executed by that 

 body, amounts to £894,064, including property of the value of £196,241 received 

 from the Commissioners. 



- In further confirmation and illustration of the increased and increasing pressure 

 of the public debt, and the large proportion of the general revenue which it is gra- 

 dually absorbing, the following Table is submitted. As a convenient and easily 



