CHARLES ARNOLDI

Assistant-Trésorier de la Cité.

Photo. J. A. DUMAS, 112 Vitré, coin Saint-Laurent, Montréal.

During this long period, Mr. Robb has seen many changes both in tlie conncil and among its oiïïcers. He has survived one city clerk, two city attorneys, two recorders, two treasnrers, two surveyors, two chiefs of the fire department, one chief of police, one building inspector and alniost ail the members of the conncil which appointed hini. Most of thèse personages hâve passed away from earth, while the old building, in which the civic departments were formerly centred, has given place to the présent city hall.

Nor has the change in the hnan-cial position of the city been less marked. Its revenue in 1865 was under $600,000, while to-day it approaches $3,600,000. In 1865 its total debt was $5,000,000 with an annual interest cost of less than $300,000 ; to-day the debt is $27,000,000 with an annual interest cost of about $1,100,000. It is interesting to note that the proportion of debt to revenue is less in 1902, than it was in 1865, while the percentage of the latter required for interest has fallen from over one half as in 1865, to less them one third as in 1902. Still more striking is the improvement in the city's standing in the nione}^ markets of the world. In 1865, its 6 per cent securities then submitted to public compétition elicited no higher offer than 85 ; in 1901 its 3^4 per cent was sold at par. In 1865 the interest on its debt was over 6 per cent ; to-day it averages about 4 per cent with a continued rédemption of the old high rate bonds.