View report page

It will be seen by the Table, that the greatest increase
in population over that of 1861, was in the Bast
Ward, where the numbers have more than doubled.
In the North and Centre Wards, the respective populations
have increased about one-fourth; the South
Ward, about one-eighth; and the West, about one
twenty-fifth of the population of 1861.
It will be further seen that the highest rate of mortality
during the year in the West Ward, corresponds
with the greatest number of persons to each house,
although the increase of number of persons to each
house over that of 1861, is the least in this Ward, presumably
for the reason that all available space had been
preoccupied ; but the density of population would not
be the only or indeed the principal cause of this high
rate of mortality, the houses themselves are more
closely packed, there are more narrow courts and
streets than in the other Wards, and the population of
a large portion of the Ward being of the poorest in the
Hamlet, the sanitary standard of the houses and their
surroundings is proportionately low and defective.
The next in density of population to each house is
the East Ward, where also the increase of numbers of
persons to each house, over 1861, is greater than in
any other Ward; yet there has been a remarkably low
death rate; there can be no question that this favorable
circumstance is attributable to the better observance of
sanitary principles in forming the streets and roads
which are invariably wide, the houses modern and well
drained, better ventilated and more wholesome, and not
contaminated by old infection, decay, and dirt.