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of flats. Kidbrooke, which has always been described as the rural,
area of the Borough, is now almost entirely built over.
The sub-soil of the greater portion of the Borough consists
of gravel and sand, the exception being in the Kidbrooke area
which is mostly clay.
The altitude varies from a few feet below high-water mark
on the marshes, up to 249 feet above sea level on the Shooter's
Hill Road by the Borough boundary.
The industries and sources of employment in the Borough
are to be found in close proximity to the River Thames which
forms the Borough boundary on the north side. Chief among
these are large Cable and Engineering Works, Gasworks, Soap
and Candle Works, L.P.T.B. Generating Station and Tramway
Car Repair Depot, The London Power Company's Works, Glass
Bottle Works, Linoleum Manufacturing Works, Merryweathers'
Works (Fire Engines), Cement and Stone Works, Asbestos Works,
Cold Meat Storage, Rope, Tin Box and Sack Manufacturers,
Printers, Brewers, R.A.F. Works, Enamelling, Barge Builders,
Cabinet Making and Saw Mills.
POOR LAW RELIEF AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
Some indication as to the social condition of the inhabitants
of the Borough may be obtained from the following particulars
supplied to me through the courtesy of the Local Public Assistance
Officer :—
Average weekly number of Greenwich residents
(men, women and children) in receipt of
domiciliary relief during 1938 1,801
Average weekly amount expended in outdoor relief
in Greenwich £769
Through the kindness of the Divisional Controller, Ministry
of Labour, the following information is given concerning the number
of insured persons aged 16—64 years resident in Greenwich who
were recorded as unemployed at the following periods. Comparative
figures for the previous year are shown in brackets :—
Males. Females. Total.
17th January, 1936 1,147 (1,164) 446 (351) 1,593 (1,515)
4th April, 1936 1,074(1,056) 429(256) 1,503 (1,312)
18th July, 1938 1,083 (823) 458 (285) 1,541 (1,108)
17th October, 1938 1,269 (892) 455 (301) 1,724 (1,193)
Whilst the information from the Public Assistance Authority
points to a slight decrease in the number seeking relief, it will be
noticed there are significant increases in the numbers registered
as unemployed.