charge of the measure, instructed by Mr. Summerscales, town clerk, the opposition was disarmed, and the bill passed in its integrity through both houses of Parliament, and received the Royal assent on the 15th of June, 1855. The importance of this measure cannot be over-estimated. When the works are completed the supply will amount to three times its present quantity, and the cost to the town will be comparatively trifling, whilst its effects will be found to be beneficial not only to the present but to future generations, who will not fail to appreciate the practical sagacity and large business conceptions of the gentlemen through whose instrumentality so great a boon has been obtained for the town.

Another undertaking which redounds to the credit of the Corporation, may here be appropriately noticed, we refer to the erection of the Oldham Public Baths, which were inaugurated by the Mayor, James Lees, Esq., and Corporation, on Monday, the 25th September, 1854. The idea of their erection, however, did not originate with the Corporation. The death of the late Sir Robert Peel, on the 2nd of July, 1850, was deeply lamented from one end of the country to the other, and on the 22nd of the same month a public meeting of the inhabitants of Oldham was held in the Town hall, Mr. Alderman Redfern in the chair, at which it was resolved to erect a memorial in the town to perpetuate the many important services rendered to his country by the illustrious statesman, and, in keeping with the practical nature of his public policy, as well as the utilitarian character of the leading men in the borough, it was determined that the memorial should be one of public utility. An influential committee of management, with John Platt, Esq., as chairman, was appointed, and at a subsequent meeting it being considered that Public Baths would be most beneficial to the town, it was at once resolved that the testimonial should take that form. The subscriptions obtained in the town and neighbour-

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