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The returns of vital statistics and infectious diseases
drawn up on the forms supplied by the Local Government
Board are appended in Tables I., II., III., IV., and V.
Population.—The calculations for the deaths and other
rates in the tables of this report aie based on an estimated
population at the middle of the year as 51,700, which figure
is obtained by the Borough Engineer ascertaining the
number of occupied houses in each ward and multiplying
that figure by the house factor for the respective ward
obtained from the official census in 1901.
Area.—The area of the Borough (exclusive of area
covered by water) is 3,173 acres, and the density of the
population was 16'2 per acre.
Births.—The number of births registered was 1,121 (587
males, 534 females), which is 64 less than last year, and
equal to a birth-rate of 216, which rate is 3 7 below the
average for the past ten years.
The corresponding rate for England and Wales for the
same period is given as 26'3 in the report of the Registrar
General.
Deaths.—The total number of deaths registered in the
district was 480 (237 males, 243 females) equal to a deathrate
of 9'2 per thousand of the population per annum. This
is 2'5 lower than last year, and 17 below the average for the
past ten years which is seen to be 10 9. In the decade, only
on two occasions, viz., in the years 1903 and 1905, has the
death-rate fallen below that of this year.
It will be remembered that last year I remarked on the
very low death-rate that Wimbledon enjoyed, seeing that it
is a suburb of London, and that the greater part of the
population resides in the lower portion of the district, and
that if this low rate could be maintained in the future there
would be every reason for satisfaction. Under these circumstances
it is very gratifying to be able to report that the
death-rate for the past year is even lower than that of 1906.
The deaths in public institutions outside the district of
persons belonging to this Borough were :—49 in Kings'.on
Infirmary, and nine in the County Asylum, Brookwood ; the
deaths occurring in public institutions within the district of
persons not belonging hereto were:—five in ihe Atkinson
Morley Convalescent Hospital, Copse Hill; three in the
South Wimbledon Cottage Hospital ; and one in the North
Wimbledon Cottage Hospital After taking these into
account the total number of deaths properly belonging to
the district is found to be 529, and the death rate 10'2. The
rate for England and Wales for the same period is 15 0.
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