18 SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF NOTTINGHAM AND DISTRICT 



Police and Fire Brigade 



The City Police Force is well-known throughout the pohce world as 

 one of the most efficient forces in the United Kingdom. It has been 

 organised on the most modern lines and was one of the first police forces 

 to install the police telephone box system. It was also the pioneer of 

 the pohce wireless patrol system and one of the first forces to mechanize. 

 Among other modern developments are a criminal record office, finger 

 print section and a foreign enquiry section. 



The Fire Brigade equipment includes six high-powered pumps with 

 escapes, an 87 feet turntable ladder, a fire tender, and a first-aid van with 

 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus, smoke helmets, searchlights, 

 oxy-acetylene cutting appliances, resuscitating apparatus, stretchers, &c. 

 The Brigade is also equipped with up-to-date workshops and apart from 

 fire prevention, fire extinguishing and the maintenance of its own equip- 

 ment, it constructs bodies for such vehicles as ambulances, police patrol 

 and wireless cars. 



Art Gallery and Museums 



The city's art collection is housed in Nottingham Castle, an outstanding 

 landmark in the city. The Castle Rock rises on its south side to a height 

 of 133 feet and the Castle, built on the summit of the Rock, is leased by 

 the Corporation for 500 years from the Duke of Newcastle. 



The building is very suitable for the purpose of a museum and art 

 gallery and the collection and pictures are most interesting and valuable. 

 In addition to the permanent collection, private collections are exhibited 

 from time to time. In the year ended 31st March 1937, 266,967 persons 

 visited the Castle. 



WoUaton Hall is now the home of the Natural History Museum. 

 The collection as a whole is considered to be one of the best in the 

 provinces. 



Education 



Nottingham's educational system is dealt with in a separate article 

 (written by the Director of Education) in this handbook. 



Civic Developments 



During the post-war years Nottingham has developed with am.azing 

 rapidity. One of the most outstanding developments has been the com- 

 pletion of a scheme for utilising to the best advantage the great market 

 square and the Old Exchange Buildings. On the site of the old buildings 

 now stands one of the handsomest civic buildings, and its dignity and 

 beauty are enhanced by the modern layout of the square which was 

 formerly known as the Great Market Place. 



At the head of the first flight of the Grand Staircase, standing in an 

 arched niche, is a fine statue, the gift of Sir Julien Cahn, depicting the 

 Spirit of Welcome. Nottingham is always pleased to welcome visitors, 

 and the civic pride of its citizens is justified by its honourable past and 

 modern achievements. 



