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281
1011
STATE OF PAUPERISM IN THE BOROUGH.
Last year the Medical Officer of Health commented on the increasing
number of paupers in the borough, as judged by the returns of the Board of
(iuardians. This year he has to note a slight falling off for the average number
of persons relieved in each week of its weeks shows a decrease from 10,773 in
1910, to 9,553. This is almost identical with the figure for 1907 9,599.
Compared, however, with 1899 it shows an increase of 39 per cent., and with
1901, eleven years ago, 30 per cent. It is not for him to discover the cause
of this large increase; indeed, he does not know it, but whatever the cause it
is most regrettable, and one that should engage the very serious attention of the
Board of Guardians, as doubtless it does.

Indoor Paupers. — The average number relieved each week was 4,974,
or 43 less than the average which obtained in the preceding year, and as
contrasted with a weekly average of 4,186 in the decennium 1901-1910.
Outdoor Paupers.—On an average 4,579 persons were relieved in each
week, as compared with 5,755 in 1910, with 5,612 in 1909, and with a decennial
weekly average of 4,877. Of these paupers, the average number of adults was
2,573, and of children under 16 years of age 2,006.
Vagrants.—No vagrants were relieved, as the wards were closed in
January, 1909.