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3
Town Hall,
Kensington, W.8,
1st May, 1934.
To the Mayor, Alderman and Councillors of the
Royal Borough of Kensington.
My Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my annual report for 1934 upon the state of the public health in
Kensington.
The birth rate was 12.3, which is 0.3 above the figure for the previous year, but 2.5 below the
rate for England and Wales. The death rate of 13.3 is 0.6 above that for 1933, which was one of
the lowest in the history of the borough. This figure, however, cannot be used for comparison with
other districts, for it has not been corrected for age and sex distribution of the population. When
the necessary adjustment has been made the death rate for Kensington for purposes of comparison
becomes 12.5,
The infant death rate of 93 was far too high, and has caused the council much anxiety. The
recent decision to appoint two whole-time medical officers for infant welfare consultations in place
of 14 part-time medical officers was arrived at after considering what, further steps could be taken to
improve the maternity and child welfare service, with a view to securing a reduction of this death
rate. The maternal death rate of 1.3 compares very favourably indeed with the figure of 4.4 for
England and Wales. Although it is not wise to arrive at conclusions from statistics based on
comparatively small numbers, it is at least gratifying to know that in the year when the council
began to employ a whole-time ante-natal medical officer only three Kensington mothers lost their
lives in a total of 2,271 confinements. The figure has never been so low before, and the many
voluntary and official workers engaged in maternity and child welfare activities will continue their
efforts with enthusiasm, in the hope of maintaining this low rate, and will give every encouragement
to the whole-time medical officers, who will shortly begin their campaign against' the high infant
death rate.
Scarlet fever was prevalent throughout the year, but the disease was mild and there were only
three deaths. Diphtheria was at no time epidemic, but the type of the disease now prevailing is
severe. The council introduced early in the year a scheme for immunising children against diphtheria.
It is a pioneer effort, and relies entirely on close co-operation between the doctors in the borough
and the public health department. In less than 12 months from the beginning of the scheme, over
1,600 children have received the benefit of security from an attack of this disease. The epidemic
of mild smallpox which has existed in London for a number of years seems to be disappearing.
There were in London last year only 146 cases ; Kensington was fortunate to escape entirely. In
the last 10 years there have been only 12 cases in the borough, whilst there have been 9,763 in
London.
The five years housing programme engaged a considerable amount of attention during the
year, and reference to page 43 of this report will show that the council achieved more during the
year than they had anticipated when the programme was outlined.
The presentation of this report affords me an opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the
full measure of support which has been accorded to me by the Mayor, the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen
of the various committees, and all members of the council. I wish specially to thank the Town
Clerk and the other chief officers, particularly at the present time, for the housing activities of the
council during the past year involved a greater strain on the resources of the public health department
than had hitherto been experienced, and the support received from them proved invaluable. The
staff of the department have worked loyally during a heavy year, and have shown great enthusiasm
in their endeavour to give efficient service to the council.
VITAL STATISTICS.
The Royal. Borough of Kensington as constituted under the London Government Act, 1,899,
covers an area of 2,291 acres, and is co-extensive with the civil parish and registration district
of the same name. The line of demarcation formed by Holland Park Avenue, High Street,
Notting Hill Gate, and the Bayswater Road divides the borough into approximately equal halves
described in previous years and in this report as North and South Kensington respectively.
Each of these areas is co-terminous with the parliamentary division of the same name. The
borough is further sub-divided into nine wards. North Kensington includes the wards of
St. Charles, Golborne, Norland and Pembridgc, whilst South Kensington is made up of the five
other wards, namely, Holland, Earl's Court, Queen's Gate, Redcliffe and Brompton.
Population.
The population of the borough as ascertained at the census in 1931 was 180,677 persons; but
for the purpose of this report, the population for 1934 has been estimated by the Registrar-General
to be 179,080.