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affected by draught. In any one house there may be as many as eight of these
stoves burning simultaneously, while the only escape from the upper floors is the
wooden staircase contained within the house. The other risk is of the spread of
disease of the dysentery type because there is inadequate lavatory accommodation
for the number of people residing in the house. Also because the lavatories are
communal property there is a tendency for no-one to keep them scrupulously
clean with the result that their condition leaves much to be desired. Until we
can deal with these houses more expeditiously I am afraid the problem will
remain with us for a long time.
It gives me pleasure once more to record the valuable help given by the
various voluntary organisations in providing meals on wheels, clothing and
financial help where needed in the district.
To the members of the Council I would like to express my thanks for the
courtesy and interest they have always shown me, and to Mr. E. G. Thomas and
the Staff of the department my sincere appreciation of their willing help and
co-operation in what has been a difficult and busy year.

The district, situated on the north-west border of Kent, and immediately
adjoining the Counties of London and Surrey, is on the slope of a hill, the
highest point being 370 feet above sea level and the lowest 95 feet above sea
level.
The density of population per acre is 33.8, this being by far the highest in
the County of Kent. This results in there being very few open spaces in the
district, the largest one being the grounds of the Old Crystal Palace the majority
of which are in this area. This density of building has caused a shortage of space
for school playing fields for the schools of the district and pupils mainly have to
go outside the area for games.
The Manager of the Employment Exchange for the area informs me
that there were approximately 188 men and 23 women in the Penge area
registered as unemployed at the end of the year.