BIRMINGHAM'S ACHIEVEMENTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2349, 17 July 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

BIRMINGHAM'S ACHIEVEMENTS.

■ ■ ■»»—- Mr Chamberlain, in a communication furnished by him for publication in America respecting the progress of Birmingham, says:-." Munioipal institutions and the practice of local government have received their highest development in the town of Birmingham. The Town Council has, in the course of the last twenty years, acquired possession of the supply of gas and water 'at a cost of something like £4,000,000. In the former, case the result has been a great reduction in the price of gas, and at the same annual contribution as profit on the undertaking, in aid of the rates ot from £25,000 to £30,000 per annum." In the case of water the supply has 'been "reately increased and improved, the cost has' been reduced about 30 per cent, and a small contribution made in aid of the rates, In addition to these undertakings, the Town Council Imb carriedout a great improvement scheme involving the acquisition of. land in the centre of the town to the value of £1,500,000. The purchase has been followed by vast improvements, a broad street having been driven through the heart of what was once-the worst district in the town,and splendid buildhave taken the place of the hovels which were once a pource of disease and orirae. Meanwhile the sewerage of the town

has been' completed, large works of paving, lighting, etc, have beeu proceded" with,''iind, a'general system of sanitary inspection fiiub'ished, whtoh hut reVdted in a million of the death rate of at le-m 6 por 1,000, and an annual savins nf life of lu-tween 2,000 and 3,00t). It has'provided no leas than ejghi' '.lending-libraries' in different parts-ol the. town, and has now ' completed; ' s ■ .splendid, central lending and .reference '. library, which is oae of••.the.;.finestout 'of the metro-' polis. The oorporatioif has lately established a magiiitiwnt art gallery for tb* exhibition of pictures and works of art of all descriptions,-. The gifts by private individuals in" money and works of art have Amounted in the last few years to .more, than LIOO,OOO, while, further: benefactions for purks, scientifio'an'd'literai'y inatitutions, have reauhed.in twenty years to the sum of £l,ooo,ooo.—EveMng Star.