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POPULATION.
The tendency of many of our old inhabitants to migrate to the
suburbs and to seek less crowded districts to dwell in which has been so
evident during the last few years, was much more pronounced in 1906,
the year under consideration. This leaving of such vast numbers has
given a ragged appearance to the streets of the Borough by the large
number of houses and especially shops to let, in the main streets. The
glory of the ancient portion of the Borough as a residential neighbourhood
has since the advent of the electrically driven tramcar seriously declined.
Except to those whose families have been intimately associated with the
history of Southwark, this exodus must be considered a necessity in the
face of the overcrowded state of the inhabitants which was present a few
years ago. The effect has been to very materially reduce house rents
and to promote the reconstruction of debased property, together with the
better maintenance of houses generally. The competition in the letting
of houses is very keen at the present time, and unless the accommodation
is sufficient and the property kept in a clean and structurally good
condition there is but a very poor chance of houses letting well. The
extension of the City in the form of warehouses into our Borough
continues to increase year by year. The rebuilding of the Clandon
Estate is progressing satisfactorily, although it will be some time before
all the houses are let and the neighbourhood has permanently settled
down. Southwark still remains the chief home of the "undesirable"
class, who from an indisposition or an inability to work cause so much