iv

self-government many and great improvements have been effected in the laying out, paving, and draining of streets; the Gas and Water W orks have become the property of the Corporation, and a Water Works Bill has been passed by Parliament, by which an almost unlimited supply of water can be furnished to the town for domestic, sanitary, and commercial purposes, for many generations to come; and the trade and manufactures of the town have been largely extended. To render the work as complete as possible, an Appendix has been prepared for this Edition, in which all these matters have been carefully noted. Lists of the candidates for municipal and parliamentary honours (successful and unsuccessful); the number of public buildings, mills, workshops, and dwelling houses erected to the end of the year 1855; the number of inhabitants, according to the last census; the elections in the borough (municipal and parliamentary); the annual value of rateable property, and other useful statistics have been added, in the compilation of which the utmost care has been used, reference having been made to the most authentic sources of information.