View report page

19
BATTERSEA EAST.
The approaching advent of the decennial census in
1881 renders it undesirable to attempt any dogmatic
estimation of the real population of the sub-district, as the
actual numbers supplied by the enumerator might possibly
shew a wide divergence from those assumed.
The methods hitherto adopted by the RegistrarGeneral
would assign to Eastern Battersea an official mean
population of 41,790, but the rapid increase of population
renders this incorrect in the direction of under-estimation;
as the births recorded during the year 1879 were 2,344
and the official population would give a birth-rate of 56
per thousand; the result of the two last census-returns
shewing 42 per thousand to be the normal birth-rate of
the sub-district.
It is, therefore, necessary, as on previous occasions, to
form an estimate of the population, and this is most safely
derived from a definitely ascertained quantity—the number
of births registered during the year.
The natural increase of population consists of the
excess of births over deaths, and as the births were 2,344,
and the deaths but 978, an increased population to the
extent of 1,366 resulted during 1879.
It will be proper to state that the Registrar-General
has included in the year 1879, 53 weeks. This occurs
about every five years, and adds two per cent. to the
apparent mortality of the particular year.
The annexed Table gives the usual statement of the
cause of death during the year, with the age and social
position of the deceased, and the totals in each class.