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130
" Population.—The most interesting fact ascertained in
the course of the inspection, was that the population of
" Notting-dale" is becoming more dense. The census in
March, 1896, showed an increase of 490 persons in the five years
since 1891, equivalent to 29 per cent. per annum. The rate of
increase during the fifteen months commencing April, 1896,
appears to have been, as nearlyas may be, at therate of 4 per cent.
per annum, the population now (i.e., May, 1897) being, in round
numbers, 4,000. The population, therefore, is greater by 925 per
cent. than the estimated number, a fact which may well inspire
some anxiety; for the rapid increase in population which is going
on, should it prove to be continuous, would seem to point to
danger ahead from overcrowding. Hitherto, however, the greater
density has been brought about mainly by the occupation of
previously empty rooms. Many of the recent immigrants,
moreover, are young adults, the males for the most part
employed in the construction of the Central London Electric
Railway—'good lives,' therefore, in the actuarial sense. The
matter calls for such watching as may be practicable, lest
there should be an increase in room-crowding to the greater
detriment of the health of the inhabitants."
Dealing with this subject in the seventh report,
I observed that the outlook is of a nature to deepen
desire that the houses may be acquired by the County
Council under Part III. of the Housing of the Working
Classes Act, 1890, in order that the letting of lodgings
may be made subject to the regulations, which the " Local
Authority" are empowered to make, "for the management, use,
and regulation of the lodging-houses." The Sanitary Committee
made an unanimous recommendation that your
Vestry should request the Council, as Local Authority, to
acquire the houses. As we shall see, the application made by
your Vestry to the County Council was not successful.
Common Lodging-Houses.—It may be mentioned that the
twenty-three common lodging-houses in the Special Area