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10
The parliamentary divisions of Lewisham, namely West, North
and South, are of roughly equal population, although considerably
different in other ways; for example, the South division consists in
large part of two very big LCC estates, and contains many less shops
and very much less old property than do either of the other two divisions.
A sketch map is shown (pp. 8 & 9) to indicate the principal boundaries
of the divisions.
When it is realised that the average population of each of the
divisions is some 76,000 persons it will be apparent that in fact this report
of the health department can be regarded as equivalent to the reports of
three different health areas of reasonable size. Furthermore, comparing
with the 80-odd all-purpose authorities in England and Wales, i.e.,
the county boroughs, each one of the three Lewisham divisions contains
a greater population than some 20 of these county boroughs; but such
is the peculiarity of local government law in this country that an area
like this, with the equivalent of three times the population of many
all-purpose county boroughs, does not itself have many of the powers
possessed by these latter authorities.
In ending the introduction of this report I wish to express my thanks
to the staff for their work during the year under review and also my
thanks to the public health committee for their support and guidance
in the work done. The public health committee during the year was
constituted as follows:—
To May 16, 1949—
Councillor F. W. M. Pettitt, j.p. (Chairman); Alderman R. M.
Oxenburgh (Vice-Chairman); The Mayor (Alderman J. T.
Cummings, m.b.e., j.p.); Aldermen Miss Ball and C. Street; and
Councillors A. O. Carter, Mrs. Dadson, Miss Davies, m.sc., Mrs.
Farrance, Mrs. Gadd, Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Land, Mrs. Miller, L. M.
Minty, ph.d., ll.b., Mrs. Palmer and A. A. Vincent.
From May 25, 1949—
Councillor Mrs. G. M. M. Land (Chairman); The Mayor
(Councillor G. R. D. Bradfield, j.p., l.c.c.); Aldermen A. D.
Bartlett, j.p., Mrs. Goldthorpe and C. Street; Councillors C. P. Braithwaite,
T. C. Brooks, Mrs. Bunce, A. O. Carter, L. G. Coulson,
R. L. Evans, Miss Halsey, E. F. Hasling, F. E. G. Hawes, F. W.
O'Reilly, Mrs. Smith, P. E. Stoffel, Miss Trickey, C. F. Turtle,
J. H. Tutt and A. W. Walker.