HISTORY of STOCKPORT. Partly Obtained from Artesian Springs And

HISTORY OF STOCKPORT. 275 partly obtained from Artesian springs and partly from the river Mersey. A water-wheel is 78 horse-power, and a steam-engine of 80 horse power, in conjunction, work a set of three double-acting pumps, eight inches in diameter, and raise the water from four Artesian wells, which are 140 yards deep. The water is then conveyed to the reservoir at Woodbank, where it is aJI double-filtered before supplied to the town. This reservoir covers lA. OB. 23P. of land, and is 140 feet above the level of the Park Mills, the water being chiefly used for the supply of the higher parts of the town. There is also a reservoir, covering about seven acres, near to Portwood, the water of which is obtained from the Mersey, at a bend of the river several miltls from Stockport, whence it is conveyed by tunnels into the reservoir. The water supplied to the inhabitants is clear and good, and abundant in quantity, and the com pany have the means of furnishing an additional supply almost to an unlimited extent. Messrs. Marslands are the propriet'Jrs of the works. The Mersey and the Tame flow in a channel of red sandstone, which riiles from five to ten yards, and in some places more, above the level of the river; wells, therefore, sunk by the inhabitants, aud situated at a low level, where the water filtrates through the red sandstone, are well supplied with good water; but • in all the districts of the town above that level, with few exceptions, good water is difficult to procure, the water above that level being merely surface or top water. The GAs WoRKS were established in 1825, by a company of shareholders, with a capital stock of upwards of £21,000 raised in £50 shares, since which, an additional sum of £15,000 has been expended in the extension of the works, for supplyicg gas commensurate with the wants of this rapidly increasing manufacturing district. The works are situate in Millgate, where four capacious gasometers have been erected. There are also three gasometers in Heatou lane, and one in George street. A charge of 6s. per 1000 cubic feet is made to the consumer. The works were purchased by the Corporation in 1838. The BARRACKs, in Hall street, are situated about half a mile E. by S. from the Church, and were erected in 1820-1, at a cost of £4,976 several alterations and additions were made in the year 1830, and there is now accommodation for 166 men and 9 officers. The barracks form a spacious quadrangle, circumscribed by a wall ten feet high. On the east side is a spacious brick building, three stories high, for the accommodation of the officers and privates, and also used as a canteen. On the south is the barrack serjeants and barrack officers' stores, and on the north, is the magazine, prison, armoury, and guardhouse. The hospital is situated at the north west corner, and will hold 32 patients. Mr. Samuel Ford Basleigh is the barrack master. The CouRT HousE is a brick building, with stone facings, situate in Vernon street, and erected about 20 years ago. It contains a commodious hall for the trial of prisoners, magis trates' room, superintendent's room, and other offices. The borough lock-ups are situate in the basement of the Court Hall, and consists of day-rooms, and five cells. Prisoners on committal are sent to Chester and Knutsford, except the prisoners taken in the part of the borough comprised in Lancashire, who are committed to Salford or Kirkdale. Petty Sessions are held on Monday, Wednetday, and Saturday. The Police force consists of a superinten· dent, sergeant, and nine officers. Mr. John Hall is the superintendent. THE CouNTY CoURT, for the recovery of debts not exceeding £20. is held at the Court House every alternate Friday. The Court embraces the townships of Stockport, Brinnington, Bramall, Cheadle Bulkeley, Cheadle Moseley, Stockport Etchells, Handforth-cum-Bosdeu, Marple, Norblll'y, Offerton, Romiley, and Torkington in Cheshire~ and Heaton, Norris, and Reddish in Lancashire: Joseph St. John Yates, Esq., Judge; Henry Coppock, Esq., Clerk; Thomas Beswick, High Bailiff. CouNTY NEw BAILEY LocK-UP is a brick building in Mill lane, provided with twelve cells ; Mr, George Oswald Andrews is the Special High Constable, and there are six Police Officers. THE UNION HousE, situated on Shaw Heath, is a spacious brick structure erected in l84J, for the accommodation of 690 inmates, the average number is about 400. The total cost of th6 building was £13,470 12s. lO~d., of which .£9,627 was expended in the building; .£659 paid for fixtures; aud £171 for furniture; £230 for the warming and dryin8 apparatus; £160 for clock and bell; and the sum of £2,503 was expended in incidentals. .

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