TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 113 



acres, which are about equally divided between arable and pasture. 

 The chief part of both these parishes is the property of Mr. Finch, who 

 resides upon his estates, and has the character of a kind landlord. The 

 population consists of 100 families, comprising 4-79 individuals. The 

 first three tables presented to the Section related to the dwellings of 

 the population ; and the account of them on the whole was satisfactory. 

 The houses are low, never exceeding two stories ; many of them are 

 thatched, and nearly all are built of stone. To each a garden is 

 attached, which is generally of sufficient dimensions to supply the 

 family with vegetables. Forty per cent, of the dwellings in Branstown, 

 and 51 per cent, in Egleton and Hambleton, are reported to be well 

 furnished, which was very nearly the proportion found in Manchester 

 and Salford. In Dukinfield the proportion well furnished was 61 per 

 cent. The proportion reported to be comfortable were : — * 



In Branstown 50 per cent. 



Egleton and Hambleton 65 



Manchester 72 



Dukinfield 95 



The general appearance of the interior of the houses indicated thrifty 

 poverty, and instances of squalid misery were very rare. Thirty-one 

 per cent, of the houses in Egleton and Hambleton contained four 

 rooms, and only 17 per cent, in Branstown. In respect to sleeping 

 accommodations : — 



In Egleton, 14- per cent, of families have more than three 



persons in a bed. 

 Branstown, 19 ditto ditto. 



Dukinfield, 33 ditto ditto. 



Bury, 35 ditto ditto. 



The rent of houses is low : — 



In Egleton, the average yearly rent is £2 17 3 



Branstown 3 



Dukinfield 6 14 



Manchester 7 11 8 



The proportion of public-houses and beer-shops to the population is — 

 In Branstown. ... 1 in 85. 



Egleton 1 in 240. 



The average weekly wages of the heads of families vary from 9^. 7d. 

 to 10s. 8d., and about one fourth of those under twenty-one are earning 

 wages. The state of education in these parishes was rather satisfactory. 

 The tables give the following results : — 



Per cent, can read. Per cent, can write. 



Branstown 75 44 



Egleton, &c 81 50 



Manchester 50 Unknown. 



Dukinfield 53 28 



1839. I 



