View report page

8
Census of 1901, the mode of transit was revolutionized by the
introdaction of electric railways and tramways within the
district, and in addition factories giving employment to a large
number of persons were erected here. As a result, the number
of houses erected each year during the period 1901-1905 was
considerably in excess of the number errected in any year
between 1891 and 1901. Between the end of June 1901 and
the end of June 1905, the average number of houses erected
yearly was about 440. Since 1905, the rate of increase has
appreciably diminished, the number being as follows:—
1906 300
1907 245
1908 210
1909 187
1910 147
1911 106
Having these local conditions in view, I felt justified in
discarding the method of estimating the population by the
Registrar General and adopting a method based upon the number
of houses erected and occupied every year. The latter method
proved more accurate and the estimates for 1910 and 1911
were proved by the Census to be almost correct ones. The
population at the middle of 1910 was estimated to be 57,000
and at the middle of 1911 to be 58,000.
Our estimated population in the intercensal years is also
far more reliable than the estimate of the Registrar General.
His estimates will be based on the assumption that increase
in the intercensal period 1901-1911 assumed regular and even
proportions, and it is clear from the number of houses erected
each year, that this method of estimation is not applicable