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Meteorological.— The month of January was the coldest, the temperature
being somewhat below the average for this month. The minimum
shade temperature was 20 degrees Fahr., and the maximum 53 degrees
Fahr. The highest temperature of the year was reached on 19th September,
a shade reading of 90 degrees Fahr. being recorded. The maximum
shade temperatures for June, July and August were 79, 89, and 84 degrees
Fahr. respectively. November was the wettest month, rain having fallen on
25 days with a total depth of 4.37 inches. December had most dry days;
rain fell only on five days with a total depth of 0.29 inch. The barometric
readings varied from 29.65 inches in November to 30.21 inches in
December. The mean for the whole year was 29.9. August was the
brightest month, having 203.46 hours of sunshine on 30 days. January
had fewest bright days— only 12 with 21.30 hours of sunshine. There
were 178 wet days in the year with a total rainfall of 27.27 inches.
Sunshine lasting 1,153.37 hours occurred on 265 days during the year.
Births.
The births registered in Westminster during 1926 numbered 1,535,
but of these the homes of 500 were in other districts and have therefore
to be deducted from the total. There were, however, 571 children
belonging to Westminster parents born in institutions outside the City,
and these must be added. This gives a net total of 1,606, which is 71 more
than the similar figure for 1925. The increase in births registered which
was noted last year has still been maintained, but a greater deduction has
to be made for infants born in the City although not belonging to it. The
net result shows a slight rise in the births in Westminster, and indicates
also a greater use of the maternity beds available in the City by women
from other districts. As compared with 1925, there was a rise from 497 to
571 in the number of children belonging to Westminster parents born
in other districts.
Much has been written in previous reports regarding children born
in Westminster to women whose home address is outside the City. The
number of such cases has been steadily increasing during the last five
years, until it has risen from 78 in 1921 to 500 in 1926. On the other
hand, the number of Westminster women who were confined in homes
and hospitals outside the City rose from 497 in 1925 to 571 in 1926. A
fair portion of these births could have taken place in institutions in the
City had the parents desired to avail themselves of the facilities of which
others, non-residents in Westminster, took advantage.
The birth-rate throughout the country generally and in the County of
London shows a continued decline, the figures being 17.8 and 17.1 per