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Once again it gives me great pleasure in acknowledging the valuable work
done by the various voluntary organisations in helping in many ways both the
old, the sick and the needy of the district, and I am very glad that under recent
legislation it should be possible for local authorities to assist them in this work.
In conclusion, I would like to express my thanks to Mr. E. G. Thomas,
Chief Public Health Inspector, and the members of the Staff of the department
for their willing help and co-operation at all times.
STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA
Area (Acres) 770
Population (Census 1931) 27,771
Population (Census 1951) 25,012
Home Population, Mid-year 1961 (estimated by Registrar-General) 25,830
Rateable Value, 1st April, 1961 £358,811
Sum represented by 1d. rate £1,442
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 86 men and 16 women in the Penge area registered as
unemployed at the end of the year.
VITAL STATISTICS
Live births 596
Live birth rate per 1,000 population 23.07
Stillbirths 12
Stillbirth rate per 1,000 live and still births 19.7
Total live and still births 608
Total infant deaths 14
Infant mortality rates
(1) Total infant deaths per 1,000 live births 23.5
(2) Total infant deaths per 1,000 legitimate live births 25.4
(3) Total infant deaths per 1,000 illegitimate live births 28.0
Neo-natal mortality rate per 1,000 live births 20.0
Early neo-natal mortality rate per 1,000 live births 18.4
Peri-natal mortality rate per 1,000 live and still births 54.2
Illegitimate live births per cent of the total live births 8.4
Maternal deaths (including abortion) Nil