Part 51

Though an Improvement Act for Duddeston and Nechells was obtained in 1829, the town improvements for the next forty years consisted principally of road making, street paving, market arranging, &c., the opening-up ideas not getting well-rooted in the minds of our governors until some time after the Town Council began to rule the roast. That a great deal of work _was_ being done, however, is shown by reference to the Borough accounts for 1840, in which year £17,366 was expended in lighting, watching, and otherwise improving the thoroughfares, in addition to £13,794 actually spent on the highways. 1852 saw the removal of the turnpikes, at a cost of over £3,200; in the same year £5,800 was expended in widening the entrance to Temple Row from Bull Street, and £1,800 for rounding off the corner of Steelhouse Lane and Snow Hill. In October, 1853, it was decided to obtain for £33,000 the 11,540 square yards of land at the corner of Ann Street and Congreve Street, where the Municipal Buildings, Art Gallery, and new Gas Office now stand. Almost every year since has seen the purchase of properties more or less required for substantial improvements, though some of them may not even yet have been utilised. A few fancy prices might be named which have had to be paid for odd bits of property here and there, but about the dearest of all was £53 10s. per yard, which the Council paid (in 1864) for the land required to round off the corner of New Street and Worcester Street, a further £1,300 going, in 1873, to extinguish certain leasehold rights. This is by no means the highest figure given for land in the centre of the town, as Mr. John Feeney, in 1882, paid at the rate of £66 per yard for the site at corner of Cannon Street and New Street, the portion retained for his own use costing him even more than that, as he generously allowed the Corporation to take 30-1/2 yards for £1,000. The introduction of the railways, and consequent obliteration of scores of old streets, courts, alleys, and passages, has been of vast service towards the general improvement of the town, as well in the matter of health and sanitation, as leading to the construction of many new buildings and the formation of adequate approaches to the several railway stations, the erection of such establishments as the Queen's Hotel, the Great Western Hotel, &c. Nor have private property owners and speculators been at all backward, as evidenced by our magnificent modern banking establishments, the huge piles of commercial buildings in Colmore Row, New Street, and Corporation Street, the handsome shops in New Street, High Street, and Bull Street, with many other edifices that our grandfathers never dreamed of, such as the Midland, the Grand, and the Stork Hotels, the palatial Club Houses, the Colonnade and Arcades, New Theatres, Inns of Court, &c., &c. Many of these improvements have resulted from the falling-in of long leases on the Colmore, the Grammar School, and other estates, while others have been the outcome of a far-seeing policy on the part of such moneyed men as the late Sir Josiah Mason, Isaac Horton, and others of somewhat similar calibre. Going away from the immediate centre of the town architectural improvements will be noted on all hands, Snow Hill, for one place, being evidently in the regenerative throes of a new birth, with its Gothic Arcade opposite the railway station, and the new circus at the foot of the hill, where for so many long years there has been nothing but a wreck and a ruin. In close neighbourhood, Constitution Hill, Hampton Street, and at the junction of Summer Lane, a number of handsome houses and shops have lately been erected by Mr. Cornelius Ede, in the early Gothic style, from designs by Mr. J.S. Davis, the architect of the Snow Hill Arcade, the whole unquestionably forming a very great advance on many former street improvements. The formation in 1880 of John Bright Street as an extension of the Bristol Road (cost £30,000) has led to the erection of many fine buildings in that direction; the opening-out of Meetinghouse Yard and the alterations in Floodgate Street (in 1879, at a cost of £13,500), has done much for that neighbourhood; the widening of Worcester Street and the formation of Station Street, &c., thanks to the enlargement of the Central Station, and the remodelling of all the thoroughfares in the vicinity of Navition Street and Worcester Wharf, also arising therefrom, are important schemes now in progress in the same direction; and in fact there is hardly any district within the borough boundaries in which improvements of more or less consequence are not being made, or have been planned, the gloomy old burial grounds having been turned into pleasant gardens at a cost of over £10,000, and even the dirty water-courses known as the river Rea and Hockley brook have had £12,000 worth of cleaning out bestowed upon them. It is not too much to say that millions have been spent in improving Birmingham during the past fifty years, not reckoning the cost of the last and greatest improvement of all--the making of Corporation Street, and the consequent alterations on our local maps resulting therefrom. The adoption of the Artizans' Dwelling Act, under the provisions of which the Birmingham Improvement Scheme has been carried out, was approved by the Town Council, on the 16th of October, 1875. Then, on the 15th of March, 1876, followed the Local Government Board enquiry; and on the 17th of June, 1876, the provisional order of the Board, approving the scheme, was issued. The Confirming Act received the Royal assent on the 15th of August, 1876. On the 6th of September, 1880, a modifying order was obtained, with respect to the inclusion of certain properties and the exclusion of others. The operations under the scheme began in August, 1878, when the houses in New Street were pulled down. In April, 1879, by the removal of the Union Hotel, the street was continued into Cherry Street: and further extensions have been made in the following order:-- Cherry Street to Bull Street, August 1881; the Priory to John Street, June 1881; Bull Street to the Priory, January, 1882; John Street to Aston Street, February, 1882. Little Cannon Street was formed in August 1881; and Cowper Street in January, 1881. The first lease of land in the area of the scheme--to the Women's Hospital--was agreed upon in January, 1876; and the first lease in Corporation Street--to Mr. J.W. Danieli-- was arranged in May, 1878. In July, 1879, a lease was agreed upon for the new County Court. The arbitrations in the purchase of properties under the scheme were begun in June, 1879, and in June, 1880, Sir Henry Hunt, the arbitrator nominated by the Local Government Board, made his first award, amounting to £270,405, the remainder of the properties having been bought by agreement. The loans borrowed on account of the scheme amount to £1,600,000, the yearly charge on the rates being over £20,000 per annum, but as the largest proportion of the property is let upon 75-year leases, this charge will, in time, not only be reduced yearly by the increase of ground-rents, as the main and branch streets are filled up, but ultimately be altogether extinguished, the town coming in for a magnificent income derived from its own property. The length of Corporation Street from New Street to Lancaster Street is 851 yards, and if ultimately completed (as at first intended) from Lancaster Street to Aston Road, the total length will be 1,484 yards or five-sixths of a mile. The total area of land purchased for the carrying-out of the scheme is put at 215,317 square yds. (about 44a. 1r. 38p.), of which quantity 39,280 square yards has been laid out in new streets, or the widening of old ones. Of the branch or connecting streets intended there is one (from Corporation Street to the corner of High Street and Bull Street, opposite Dale End), that cannot be made for several years, some valuable leases not expiring until 1890 and 1893, but, judging by the present rate of building, Corporation Street itself will be completed long before then. More than a score of the unhealthiest streets and lanes in the town have been cleared away, and from a sanitary point of view the improvement in health and saving of life in the district by the letting in of light and air, has been of the most satisfactory character, but though the scheme was originated under the Artisans' Dwelling Act, intended to provide good and healthy residences in lieu of the pestiferous slums and back courts, it cannot in one sense be considered much of a success. The number of artisans' dwellings required was 1,335, about 550 of which were removed altogether, the rest being improved and relet, or converted into shops, warehouses, &c. A piece of land between Newtown Row and Summer Lane, containing an area of 14,250 square yards was purchased for the purpose of leasing for the erection of artisans' dwellings, and a 50ft. wide street was laid out and nicely planted with trees, but, owing either to the badness of trade, or the over-building of small houses in other parts previously, less than a sixth of the site has been taken, and but a score of houses built, a most wonderful contrast to the rapid filling of Corporation Street with its many magnificent edifices present and prospective, that promise to make it one of the finest streets in the provinces. There cannot, however, be such necessity for the erection of small houses as was imagined when the Act was adopted here, for according to a return lately obtained, and not reckoning the thousands of little domiciles on the outskirts, there are in the borough 4,445 houses usually let at weekly rentals up to 2s. 6d. per week, 24,692 the rentals of which are between 2s. 6d. and 3s. 6d., and 36,832 others between 3s. 6d. and 7s. per week, a total of 65,969 working men's houses, but of which 5,273 (taking one week with another) are always void.

~Toyshop of Europe.~--It was during the debate in the House of Commons (March 26, 1777) on the first reading of a Bill to license the Theatre in Birmingham, that Mr. Burke, who spoke in its favour, described this town as "the great toyshop of Europe." At that time, and for long afterwards, hundreds of articles of utility manufactured here were roughly classed as "light steel toys," and "heavy steel toys;" though we should hardly now be likely to consider tinder boxes, steelyards, pokers, fire-shovels and tongs as playthings.

~Trade Notes of the Past.~--Foreigners were not allowed to carry on any retail trade here before 1663. The Brums never liked them. An official document of 1695, states that, the trade of the town was "chiefly in steel, iron, and other _ponderous_ commodities." In 1702 it was enacted that if brass, copper, latten, bell-metal gun-metal, or shruff-metal be carried beyond sea, clean or mixed, double the value thereof to be forfeited, tin and lead only excepted. An Act was passed March 20, 1716, prohibiting trade with Sweden, much to the inconvenience of our local manufacturers, who imported Swedish iron for conversion into steel in large quantities. The Act 1 Geo. I., c. 27 (1720), forbidding the _exportation_ of artizans to foreign countries was not repealed till 1825 (5 Geo. IV., c. 97). In April, 1729, our manufacturers petitioned that the colonists in America should be encouraged to send pig iron over here; ten years previously they bitterly opposed the idea; ten years later they repented, for their American cousins filled our warehouses with their manufactured goods. In 1752 it was stated that above 20,000 hands were employed here in "useful manufactures." In 1785 a reward of fifty guineas was offered here for the conviction of any person "enticing workmen to go to foreign countries;" the penalty for such "enticing" being a fine of £100 and three months' imprisonment.

~Trade Societies and Trades' Unions~ are of modern growth, unless we count the old-style combinations of the masters to prevent their workmen emigrating, or the still more ancient Guilds and Fraternities existing in mediæval times. There are in all, 177 different Trades' Unions in the country (coming under the notice of the Registrar-General), and most of them have branches in this town and neighbourhood. The majority have sick and benefit funds connected with them, and so far should be classed among Friendly, Benevolent, or Philanthropic Societies, but some few are plainly and simply trade associations to keep up prices, to prevent interference with their presumed rights, to repress attacks by the avoidance of superabundant labour, and to generally protect members when wrongfully treated, cheated or choused. Prior to 1834, when some 20,000 persons assembled on Newhall Hill, March 31 to protest against the conviction of Dorset labourers for trades' unionism, few of these societies were locally in existence; but the advent of Free Trade seems to have shown all classes of workers the necessity of protecting their individual interests by means of a system of Protection very similar, though on smaller scale, to that abolished by Sir Robert Peel and his friends. That there was a necessity for such trade societies was clearly shown by the harsh manner in which they were denounced by John Bright at a Town Hall banquet, held April 28, 1875, that gentleman evidently demurring to the anomally of working men being Protectionists of any kind. Foremost among the local unions is the National Society of Amalgamated Brassworkers, originated April 18, 1872 with over 5,000 members now on its books, having in its first eight years subscribed and paid to members out of employ no less than £29,000.--The Builders' Labourers combined in 1861, and pay out yearly over £200 for sick and funeral benefits.--The National Association of Master Builders was organised here on Dec, 18, 1877.--The Butcher's Trade and Benevolent Association, organised in 1877, helps its members in case of need, keeps a sharp look out when new Cattle Markets, &c., are proposed, and provides a jury to help the magistrates in any doubtful case of "scrag-mag," wherein horse-flesh, donkey meat, and other niceties have been tendered to the public as human food.--The "gentlemen" belonging to the fraternity of accountants met on April 20, 1882, to form a local Institute of Chartered Accountants, and their clients know the result by the extra charges of the chartered ones.--The Clerks' Provident Association provides a register for good clerks out of employ for the use of employers who may want them, and, of course, there can be no good clerks out of employ except those who belong to the Association. It was commenced in 1883, from a philanthropic feeling, but must rank among trade societies as much as many others.--The Coal Merchants and Consumers' Association, for regulating the traffic charges, and otherwise protecting the trade (especially the sellers) was organised in 1869.--The Dairymen and Milksellers' Protection Society came into existence April 2, 1884, and is intended to protect the dealers against the encroachments of the Birmingham Dairy Company, and all customers from the cows with wooden udders or iron teats.--The dentists in May, 1883, held the first meeting of the Midland Odentological Society, but it is not expected that the people at large will be entirely protected from toothache earlier than the first centenary of the Society.--The Institution of Mechanical Engineers was formed early in 1847.--The Amalgamated Society of Engineers dates half-a-century back, its 430 branches having collectively about 50,000 members, with a reserve fund of £178,000, though the expenditure in 1883 was £124,000 out of an income of £134,000. Locally, there are three branches, with 765 members, having balances in hand of £2,075; the expenditure in 1883 being £680 to men out of work, £585 to sick members, £390 to the superannuated, £171 for funerals, and £70 in benevolent gifts.--The Birmingham and Midland Counties Grocers' Protection and Benevolent Association, started in 1871, has a long name and covers a considerable area. It was designed to make provision for the wives and families of unfortunate members of the trade when in distress; to defend actions brought against them under the Adulteration Acts; and most especially to protect themselves from the encroachments of the merchants, importers, and manufacturers, who do not always deliver 112 lbs. to the cwt, or keep to sample.--The Licensed Victuallers first clubbed together for protection in 1824, and the Retail Brewers and Dealers in Wine followed suit in 1845, both societies spending considerable sums yearly in relief for decayed members of the trade, the Licensed Victuallers having also a residential Asylum for a number of their aged members or their widows in Bristol Road.--The journeymen printers opened a branch of the Provincial Typographical Association Oct. 12, 1861, though there was a society here previously.-- The first local union we find record of was among the knights of the thimble, the tailors striking for an increase in wages in 1833; a branch of the Amalgamated Society of Tailors has lately been organised.--In 1866 a general Trades' Council was formed, which utilises by combined

## action the powers of the whole in aid of any single society which may

stand in need of help.

~Trades and Manufactures.~--There are no published returns of any kind that have ever been issued by which more than a guess can be made at the real value of the trade of Birmingham, which varies considerably at times. At the present moment (March, 1885) trade is in a _very_ depressed state, and it would hardly be correct to give the exact figures, were it even possible to obtain them, and any statistics that may appear in the following lines must be taken as showing an average based upon several years. Speaking at a council meeting, February 19, 1878, Mr. Alderman Joseph Chamberlain said the best way to ascertain the trade of the town was to take the local bank returns and the railway traffic "in" and "out," so far as the same could be ascertained. The deposits in all the banks that published returns were, at the end of 1877, £10,142,936, as against £10,564,255 in the previous year--a falling off of £421,312, or 4 percent. With regard to bills of exchange held by the banks, the amount was £3,311,744, against £3,605,067 in the previous year--a falling off of £293,323, or 8 per cent. The amount of the advances, however, was £6,041,075, as against £5,570,920 in the previous year--an increase of £470,155, or 8-1/2 percent. With regard to the trade of the town, by the courtesy of the managers of the respective companies, he was able to give the numbers of tons of goods, of coals, and other minerals, the loads of cattle, and the number of passengers. The tons of goods were 973,611, as against 950,042 in 1876--an increase of 23,569 tons, or about 2-1/2 per cent. The tons of coal were 566,535, against 575,904--a falling off of 9,372 tons, or 1-1/2 percent. The other minerals were 119,583 tons, against 100,187--an increase of 19,369, or 19 per cent. The loads of cattle were 22,462 last year, against 19,157 in the previous year--an increase of 3,305 loads, 17 per cent. These were the returns of the "in" and "out" traffic. The number of passengers was 5,787,616 in 1877, against 5,606,331--an increase of 181,285, or about 3-1/4 per cent. So far as the traffic went, as they had been led to expect from the Board of Trade returns, there had been an increase of business, but a decrease of profits; and as to the decrease of profits he had some figures which showed that the profits of trade for the parish of Birmingham fur the year ending April 1, 1877, were £3,989,000; and of the preceeding year £4,292,000--a falling off of £323,000, or a trifle over 8 per cent. These figures of Mr. Chamberlain's may be accepted as representing the present state, the increase in numbers and consequent addition to the traffic "in" being balanced by the lesser quantity of goods sent out, though it is questionable whether the profits of trade now reach £3,000,000 per year. Notwithstanding the adverse times the failures have rather decreased than otherwise, there being 13 bankruptcies and 313 arrangements by composition in 1883 against 14 and 324 respectively in 1882. To get at the number of tradesmen, &c., is almost as difficult as to find out the value of their trade, but a comparison at dates fifty years apart will be interesting as showing the increase that has taken place in that period. A Directory of 1824 gave a list of 141 different trades and the names of 4,980 tradesmen; a similar work published in 1874 made 745 trades, with 33,462 tradesmen. To furnish a list of all the branches of trade now carried on and the numbers engaged therein would fill many pages, but a summary will be found under "_Population_," and for fuller

## particulars the reader must go to the Census Tables for 1881, which may

be seen at the Reference Library. The variety of articles made in this town is simply incalculable, for the old saying that anything, from a needle to a ship's anchor, could be obtained in Edgbaston Street is really not far from the truth, our manufacturers including the makers of almost everything that human beings require, be it artificial eyes and limbs, ammunition, or armour; beads, buttons, bedsteads, or buckles; cocoa, candlesticks, corkscrews, or coffee-pots; door bolts, dessert forks, dog collars, or dish covers; edge tools, earrings, engines, or eyeglasses; fire irons, fiddle-bows, frying pans, or fishhooks; gold chains, gas fittings, glass toys, or gun barrels; hairpins, harness, handcuffs, or hurdles; ironwork, isinglass, inkstands, or inculators; jewellery, javelins, jews' harps, or baby jumpers; kettles, kitchen ranges, knife boards, or knuckle dusters; lifting-jacks, leg irons, latches, or lanterns; magnets, mangles, medals, or matches; nails, needles, nickel, or nutcrackers; organ pipes, optics, oilcans, or ornaments; pins, pens, pickle forks, pistols, or boarding-pikes; quart cups, quoits, quadrats, or queerosities; rings, rasps, rifles, or railway cars; spades, spectacles, saddlery, or sealing wax; thermometers, thimbles, toothpicks, or treacle taps; umbrellas or upholstery; ventilators, vices, varnish, or vinegar; watches, wheelbarrows, weighing machines or water closets. A Londoner who took stock of our manufactories a little while back, received information that led him to say, a week's work in Birmingham comprises, among its various results, the fabrication of 14,000,000 pens, 6,000 bedsteads, 7,000 guns, 300,000,000 cut nails, 100,000,000 buttons, 1,000 saddles, 5,000,000 copper or bronze coins, 20,000 pairs of spectacles, 6 tons of papier-mache wares, over £20,000 worth of gold and silver jewellery, nearly an equal value of gilt and cheap ornaments, £12,000 worth of electro-plated wares, 4,000 miles of iron and steel wire, 10 tons of pins, 5 tons of hairpins and hooks and eyes, 130,000 gross of wood screws, 500 tons of nuts and screw-bolts and spikes, 50 tons of wrought iron hinges, 350 miles' length of wax for vestas, 40 tons of refined metal, 40 tons of German silver, 1,000 dozen of fenders, 3,500 bellows, 800 tons of brass and copper wares. Several of these items are rather over the mark, but the aggregate only shows about one half a real week's work, as turned out when trade is good.

_Agricultural Implements_, such as draining tools, digging and manure forks, hay knives, scythes, shovels, spades, &c., as well as mowing machines, garden and farm rollers, ploughs, harrows, &c., are the specialities of some half-dozen firms, the oldest-established being Messrs. Mapplebeck and Lowe, opposite Smithfield Market.