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The number of cases of suicide rose from 3 in 1962 to 8, which is
the highest number in recent years and six were below the age of 65.
There were no maternal deaths.
Very many will regret the passing of the Finsbury Borough Council,
but I am convinced that the high reputation it has earned in the field
of Public Health, as well as in other directions, will be long remembered.
Although I believe we are justifiably proud of the past we must
not remain nostalgically absorbed in it, but prepare to facilitate the
furtherance of our ideals, not only for the community we now serve, but
also for that in the area soon to be united with ours by the Council
of the London Borough of Islington. We hope and trust that the health
and wellbeing of this wider group of citizens will continue to improve
at an ever increasing pace and that the work of the Council will be
fruitful in its efforts to bring this about.
Each year in my annual report I have acknowledged with pleasure
the help given me by successive mayors, chairmen and members of the
Committees under whom I have worked, and all members of the council, as
well as the loyal co-operation and support of my staff. These expressions
of thanks have perforce become somewhat stereotyped in form though
made in all sincerity. Again, this year I am very happy to repeat
these acknowledgements to you Mr. Mayor and those concerned.
This year I take the opportunity to pay a wider tribute, not only
to you Mr. Mayor, but to all your predecessors under whom I have had
the honour and the pleasure to serve, and the various Chairmen, members
of the committees and councils, during the time that I have been in
Finsbury. I have throughout been very sensible of the help and support
they have given me, and of the confidence they have shown in me. I
thank them also for their personal friendship which contributed greatly
in enabling me to feel apart of our Borough and to make my days happy.
To my staff belongs the credit for developing and maintaining the
good name of my department, which I believe it has borne with the
Council and public generally. I have had the good fortune to be served
by a very large number of most able and loyal assistants in all branches
of work, who have given years, and in some cases a lifetime to the
service of the people of Finsbury. Although it would be impossible to
mention by name the very many who have helped me in this way, I must
record the personal debt I owe for the collaboration and support given
by Mr. E.Q-Bilham-assistant administrative officer when I first came
to Finsbury in 1935-and whose death I had recently to report to your
Council, and by Mr. A.G.Holmes who has occupied this post since 1949.
To them all I am full of gratitude.
I also record my appreciation of the close co-operation and
collaboration which I have enjoyed with representatives of voluntary
and other organisations in the Borough, as well as with many members
of the public.
For me the years have gone quickly by having found pleasure in
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