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12
SECTION I.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS, HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION
AND VITAL STATISTICS.
Croydon, though still a dormitory town for London, is rapidly
developing industries and trades of its own. The chief industries
are iron foundries, bell foundries, engineering and building. The
London Terminal Aerodrome is within the County Borough
boundary.
The population is growing rapidly. The increase of population
revealed in the 1931 census was 21.8% on that for 1921. This was
the highest rate of increase for any town having a population of
over 100,000 at the 1921 Census. The 1931 Census gave a total
enumerated population of 233,115. The estimated population as
at the middle of 1935 is 242,100. In the 1931 Census returns 5.59
was the average number of rooms per dwelling and 1.16 the average
number of families in each dwelling, which gives 1.27 rooms per
person. In 1931, 3.35% of the population was living more than two
persons per room, a decrease of nearly 1% on the 1921 Census.
Water.
The water supply is drawn from deep wells in the chalk.
These wells are situated at Surrey Street, Stroud (ireen, Waddon,
Selhurst, and Addington. A portion of the northern side of the
Borough obtains water supplies from the Metropolitan Water
Board.
1 am indebted to the Borough Engineer, Mr. C. E. Boast,
for the following information:—
A constant supply of water was maintained throughout the
year, and has been satisfactory both in quality and quantity.
Monthly analyses of the water were made at the five pumping
stations, and in many cases at more frequent intervals. The Corporation's
wells are all in the chalk, and a sample analysis is as
follows:—
Clear and bright.
Hardness—Temporary, 11.7 cleg.
,, Permanent, 4.0 deg.
No B. Coli in 100 c.c.
No Streptococci in 100 c.c.
No Acid Organisms in 100 c.c.