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15
Overcrowding.—The first steps for dealing with overcrowding have now been completed.
The Minister of Health fixed 1st July, 1937, as the appointed day after which newlycreated
overcrowding became an offence, and the same day was fixed as the terminal date by which
a statement showing the permitted number of persons applicable to each house was to be inserted by
the landlord in the rent books.
By the 31st December, 1937, 47,611 dwelling-houses were measured and the permitted number
ascertained and recorded.
The information needed for insertion in the rent books by the landlords is now available upon
application.
Comparatively few landlords applied for this information, and in accordance with the Council's
instructions the permitted numbers have been sent without application; in order to do this, a temporary
clerk and a temporary typist have been employed.
The information obtained by the survey and the measurement of these 47,611 dwelling-houses
forms a valuable record of the amount of housing accommodation existing in the Borough. Owing
to the frequent changes in the manner in which many working-class houses are let out to families, the
permitted number in relation to these dwelling-houses will need to be revised from time to time and
constant inspection will be required to enforce the overcrowding standard.
By 31st December, 1937, 108 overcrowded families were rehoused by the Council and 166
overcrowded families removed to accommodation other than that provided by the Council.
So far as is known, the houses vacated by overcrowded families have not been re-occupied in
circumstances so as to be overcrowded, but as no powers exist to control the re-letting of privatelyowned
houses, save to ensure no fresh overcrowding occurs, it is not possible to say how far the
provision of new houses will contribute to the abatement of overcrowding in the Borough.
Social Conditions.—The District is largely of a residential character, and the population, in
addition to persons daily engaged elsewhere in the Metropolis, is composed of persons locally engaged
in industry and trade. Apart from the numerous and important shopping centres in the District
there are several local industrial undertakings such as railways, and large electrical, motor engineering'
and coachbuilding works, biscuit manufacturers, bedstead and mattress manufacturers, printing, etc.,

PUBLIC MORTUARY.
107 bodies were deposited at the Mortuary during the year ending 31st December, 1937, as
follows:-6 Accommodations, 57 Post-Mortems, 17 Poit-Mortems and Inquests, and 27 Inquests only.
AMBULANCE SERVICE.
The demands on the Ambulance Service increase year by year.
During the vear 8,535 calls were made for the Council's ambulances as compared with 7,685
in 1936, 6,856 in 1935, 5,617 in 1934, 5,633 in 1933, 5,497 in 1932 and 5,171 in 1931.
Altogether, 164,761 miles were run in 1937 as compared with 153,459 in 1936, 143,557 in 1935,
132,548 in 1934, 132,168 in 1933, 132,208 in 1932, and 131,564 in 1931.
Approximately 300 defective children are on the lists for daily conveyance by the Council's
school ambulances to and from the special schools.
The detailed report of the 23rd year of working of the Ambulance Service appears on
pages 80-83.
MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL.
The 46th Annual Report on the Municipal Hospital, written by Dr. Troup, appears later in this
Report.
Your obedient Servant,
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.