| THE TOWN CREATED A MUNICIPALITY |
|
After 1871, when the census returns showed a population of 32,607, it was
decided to petition the government for Incorporation. The first application
was refused, but after many delays, the Charter was received on September 9th,
1876. The first municipal elections were held on November 1st of that year,
and were contested on political lines. The town still kept to its five wards,
so 30 councillors were needed first, and there were 59 candidates for these seats.
Mr. Thomas Lomax Openshaw was the returning officer, and Mr. Thomas Chorlton acted as his clerk.
|
| The first meeting of the Town Council took place on Thursday,
November 9th, 1876, Mr. T. L. Openshaw presiding. The election of ten aldermen
was the first business, and shortly after this, Mr. Alderman John Duckworth was
chosen as the first Mayor of the Borough. Mr. Openshaw then invited the Mayor
to preside over the remainder of the meeting, and handed over to the custody of
the Mayor the Charter of Incorporation, together with the records of the election
and all papers relating thereto. In the following January, 1877, Mr. Frederick
Bull was appointed to the position of Town Clerk.
|
| Previous: Later Works of the Improvement Commissioners | Next: Copy of Charter
|