248

WARDS UNDER CHARTER.

The township of Hulme is also divided into two wards, viz., St. George's Ward, which includes that part of the township west of Knot Mill, Jackson's-lane, Jackson-street, Preston-street, and Moss-lane; and Medlock-street Ward, including the remainder of the township.

Ardwick Ward includes the townships of Ardwick and Beswick.

Cheetham Ward, the township of Cheetham.

New Cross Ward returns six Councillors, and the other fourteen wards three Councillors each.

CHAPTER XV.

TOWN HALLS-PRISON-GAS

२०२०

WORKS-FIRE ENGINE

ESTABLISHMENT-CEMETERIES WORKHOUSES
POLICE-REGISTRARS-LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ETC.

THE MANCHESTER TOWN HALL,

ING-STREET, is a handsome stone building, the foundation of which was laid in 1822. It was erected from a design by the late Mr. Goodwin, at a cost, including land and furnishing, of upwards of £40,000.

-There is in it every convenience for the public business of the town. The police office occupies one end, and the gas and comptroller's offices are in another part of it. There is a large room in the centre of the building, containing an area of 558 square yards, in which public meetings, exhibitions, and bazaars, are frequently held. This room is decorated with a variety of pictorial embellishments, in fresco painting, by Mr. Aglio, the author of "Mexican Antiquities." The dome at the end towards the east, or Cheapside, represents an allegorical commemoration of the termination of the contest with Napoleon. The painting over the chimney-piece, at the same end, represents the meeting of Lord Macartney and the Emperor of China.

R

The

250

SALFORD TOWN HALL.

painting opposite the fire-place is the representation of the King of Persia, giving audience to a deputation from England, on the subject of trade. The dome, at the cupola end, is adorned with another allegory, relating to the British empire. The painting opposite the fire-place, at the same end, is a representation of Sebastian Cabot's landing on the American continent. The dome, in the centre of the room is devoted to representations of the heathen divinities, and to personifications of the four cardinal virtues. The long frieze over the window is descriptive of the argonautic expedition, said to have taken place 1263 B. C.

This handsome building is not in the best situation for showing itself to advantage; although of late years. its approaches have been considerably improved. The widening of King-street in front of it (still in progress) has, in some measure, relieved it from its former obscurity.*

SALFORD TOWN HALL

Is situate in Chapel-street, Salford. It is a neat building of stone, of modern date, after a design by Mr. Lane, and is found to be conveniently arranged for the purposes for which it was intended. The Salford police offices occupy portions of the building; a court room, where the county magistrates hold a petty sessions; the office of the registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, for the Salford union. Other portions of it are occupied by the offices of the guardians and overseers of the poor, the clerks to the commissioners of police, &c. The hall contains a large room,

* On May 26th, 1841, it was resolved by the Commissioners of police, that in future the use of the Town Hall be granted for the following objects, viz.-1st. Business connected with the police, gas, and constables' department. 2nd. Meetings officially called by the mayor or the boroughreeves and constables. 3rd. Public meetings called by the churchwardens or surveyors of the highways, on business connected with their respective offices. 4th. General meetings of the Chamber of Commerce. 5th. Public dinners at which the mayor, the boroughreeve, or one of the constables shall be officially appointed to preside. 6th. Such meetings for charitable or other purposes as the mayor, the boroughreeve and constables, or the finance committee shall have previously sanctioned in writing, with the following exceptions, viz. :-1st. Meetings of clubs or club dinners. Meetings and dinners of all associated societies. 3rd. All exhibitions where the whole nett proceeds do not go to some charitable institution.— And that this order be declared, ordained, and constituted a bye-law.

2nd.