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4
The year has been a busy one in two major matters, namely slum clearance
and clean air. The first district chosen as a smokeless zone was inspected
and the necessary information collated for submission to the Minister. Several
areas were represented to the Council by myself as suitable as clearance areas.
During the year also one has been able to see new dwellings completed and
occupied on sites dealt with as clearance areas in previous years.
Much good work has again been done by various voluntary organisations
for the benefit of the aged in the district. Unfortunately again the department
has had to deal with a few cases of aged infirm who had to be removed under
a Court Order.
Again I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to Mr. E. G.
Thomas and the staff of the department for much work willingly and cheerfully
undertaken by them often out of normal working hours.
STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA
Area (Acres) 770
Population (Census 1931) 27,771
Population (Census 1951) 25,012
Home Population, Mid-year 1960 (estimated by Registrar-General) 25,770
Rateable Value, 1st April, 1960 £355,514
Sum represented by 1d. rate £1,434
The district, situated on the north-west border of Kent, and immediately
adjoining the Counties of London and Surrey, is on the slope of a hill, the
highest point being 370 feet above sea level and the lowest 95 feet above sea
level.
The density of population per acre is 33, this being by far the highest in
the County of Kent. This results in there being very few open spaces in the
district, the largest one being the grounds of the old Crystal Palace the majority
of which are in this area. This density of building has caused a shortage of space
for school playing fields for the schools of the district and pupils mainly have to
go outside the area for games.
The Manager of the Employment Exchange for the area informs me
that there were 84 men and 14 women in the Penge area registered as
unemployed at the end of the year.
VITAL STATISTICS
Live births 560
Live birth rate per 1,000 population 21.7
Stillbirths 19
Stillbirth rate per 1,000 live and still births 32.8
Total live and still births 579
Total infant deaths 9