1844—JANUARY 4—The Council, on the motion of Mr. Bedford, determined only henceforth to style themselves, “The Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of the City of Worcester,” as their proper legal title. A motion to give a salary to the Mayor was rejected by 19 to 10. 1844—SEPTEMBER—The Council (and afterwards the Chamber of Commerce) pronounced in favour of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway project, in preference to any other of the schemes before the city, by large majorities. 1844—NOVEMBER—There were no contests in the wards this year, except at St. John’s. Mr. William Lewis was reëlected Mayor without opposition, and Mr. Lloyd was chosen Sheriff by 22 votes to 12 given for Mr. Elgie. 1845—JANUARY 11—At a special meeting called to assent to, or dissent from, the Tring line promoted by the London and Birmingham Company, and which would pass through part of the corporation property in the Blockhouse, &c., Mr. Alderman Chalk asked the Council to abide by its former decision in favour of the Oxford line, and dissent from the Tring scheme—and proposed a resolution to that effect, which was seconded by Mr. Alderman R. Evans. Mr. Wall and Mr. Hood moved that the Council do assent to the Tring line; but this was negatived by 18 to 7, and Mr. Chalk’s resolution carried. 1845—MARCH 27—The Council again declared in favour of the Oxford and Wolverhampton line. Mr. Knight moved, as an amendment to the resolution proposed by Mr. Elgie, that the Council should petition in favour of the Tring line; but this was lost by 19 to 8. 1845—NOVEMBER—The elections this year brought two more Conservatives into the council. E. J. Lloyd, Esq., was elected Mayor, and Mr. F. T. Elgie, Sheriff. 1846—FEBRUARY 3—The Council petitioned for a total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws by a majority of 17 to 9. 1846—APRIL 14—William Lewis, Esq., chosen Mayor for the remainder of the year, in the room of Edward Lloyd, Esq., deceased. 1846—MAY 5—At this, a quarterly meeting of the Council, Mr. Sheriff Elgie moved a petition against the New Gas Company’s Bill (which had been approved, in public meeting, the week before), and Mr. Hood seconded it. Mr. Alderman Chalk objected to such a subject being brought on without previous notice, and to a quarterly meeting being taken advantage of for such a purpose. He moved an amendment for the postponement of the question, which was, however, lost by 16 to 5, and Mr. Elgie’s petition carried. A counter petition was afterwards presented from fourteen other members of the body. 1846—NOVEMBER—F. T. Elgie, Esq. was unanimously chosen Mayor by the new body, and Mr. Edward Webb, Sheriff.