APPENDIX No. 29. ENFRANCHISEMENT OF THE PARISH OF CHELSEA.

Statistics laid before Lord Palmerston on the 5th March, 1861.

The united parishes of Chelsea and Kensington, according to the census in 1851, contained a population of upwards of 100,000 persons; and they are now rated under Schedule A to the income and property tax, at £693,860.

Of the total number of cities and boroughs in the United Kingdom, returning members to parliament, fifteen only are rated higher to the income and property tax than Chelsea and Kensington, while 240 are rated at a less amount.

There is no un-enfranchised town in the United Kingdom containing half the population, or assessed at half the amount of property under Schedule A; and it is therefore respectfully contended that the inhabitants of Chelsea and Kensington have a paramount claim to any new borough representation that may be created by the legislature.

CHELSEA. KENSINGTON. TOTAL.

Miles of Streets [116a] 21 35 56

Houses Rated 8,252 8,700 16,952

Estimated Rental [116b] £338,239 319,586 £657,825

County Assessment. [116c] £234,248 £319,924 £554,172

Property and Income Tax:—

Schedule A [116d] £269,876 £423,984 £693,860

Schedule B £720 £2,781 3,501

Schedule D £141,887 £200,526 342,413

£1,039,774

Population—Census 1851 56,538 44,053 100,591

Annual Increase at 4 per cent. [116e] 75,000 59,500 134,500

Persons Rated at £10 and under £50 [116f] 5,342 3,793 9,135

£50 and upwards 700 2,176 2,876

£10 and upwards 6,042 5,969 12,011

County Electors 679 955 1,634

Representation of Scotland compared with that of the Metropolis.

Population, 1851. Property Rated under Schedule A. Members.

Scotland 2,862,000 £4,636,755 53

Metropolis 2,869,000 £18,625,296 16

To the Honorable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The Petition of the Vestry of the Parish of Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,

Sheweth,

That your Petitioners having had under consideration a Bill about to be introduced into your honorable House by Viscount Enfield, to transfer the two seats formerly possessed by the Borough of St. Albans, in the County of Hertford, to the Parishes of St. Luke, Chelsea, and St. Mary, Abbott’s Kennington, respectfully represent—

That the claims of the Parish represented by your Petitioners for direct and separate representation in Parliament are based inter alia upon its wealth, population, intelligence, and extent.

That the estimated annual value of the house property in the Parish is about £315,000.

That the Parish of Chelsea extends from the City of Westminster to Fulham, and contained at the census of 1851, 56,538 inhabitants, and 8,252 houses.

That since the census of 1851, the number of inhabitants has largely increased, and may be now estimated at 75,000: the number of houses has also become augmented in like proportion.

That the number of rated householders, according to the last return, was 4,542, and of persons rated, 5,014; but of this number about 700 only enjoy the Parliamentary franchise.

That the Parish represented by your Petitioners occupies an area of 771 acres, and contains upwards of 21 miles of streets.

That the rateable value of property in the Parish, as assessed to the County Rate, is £234,248; to the Poor Rate, £213,115; and to the Property Tax, £267,897.

That the persons qualified to serve on juries in the Parish now number 1233.

That there are 23 churches and chapels, and 46 public schools of popular education in the Parish, besides several public reading rooms and places for mutual instruction.

Your Petitioners therefore pray your honorable House that the Bill of Viscount Enfield for transferring the two seats formerly possessed by the Borough of St. Albans, in the County of Hertford, to the Parishes of St. Luke, Chelsea, and St. Mary, Abbott’s Kennington, may pass into law.

And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c.

Chas. Lahee, Vestry Clerk.

Given under the Common Seal of the said Vestry, this twelfth day of February, 1861.