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10
The main lines of the Midland Railway to Southend-on-Sea
and Tilbury divide the district to a certain extent, having a
tendency to isolate various parts from one another.
The northern half of the district slopes from north to south,
and is suitable for residential purposes. The southern half
consists of marshland, and, being practically flat, and. having
a general level of from 5 to 6 O.D., is unsuitable for residential
purposes.
Geologically, the whole district has a gravel subsoil lying
generally close to the surface of the ground, which has a
general surface declivity from the north towards the rivers and
outcrops in the bed of the watercourses. An exception to this
statement may be found on the marsh levels, where there is a
bed of marsh clay of varying thickness overlying the gravel.
In this connection it is of interest to note that recent borings
at Abbey Rubber Mills indicated the first 12 feet to be made
soil, the next 5 feet sandy clay, and the next 1 feet of gravel
resting on London clay.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS, ETC.
The chief occupations of the residents in the district at
the time of the 1921 census are shown by the following table,
which is a summary of the census return:—