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Statistics and Social Conditions
of the Area
Area (in acres) 3,764
Registrar-General's Estimate of Resident Civilian
Population, 1952 72,480
Number of Inhabited Houses (end of 1952) according
to Rate Books 21,620
Rateable Value (1952) £938,313
Sum represented by a penny rate (1952) £3,820
The remarks set out under this heading in the Annual Report
for 1951 stand, and need not be repeated in detail. It will be
sufficient to emphasise the importance of constant supervision, so
that the nature and individuality of Southgate is maintained at its
present level. I would again repeat that this is not an easy matter.
Thanks to careful planning in the past, Southgate enjoys many
advantages denied to other districts.
This does not mean, however, that we can afford to be in
any way complacent. A policy of laissez-faire would be highly
injudicious; if one cannot improve—and who can say that this
is beyond our powers ?—we must at least retain those characteristics
and amenities which have made Southgate such a pleasant
place in which to live and work.
The foundations of a healthy district have been very soundly
laid in Southgate. It is quite impossible to estimate the degree of
health and happiness which such amenities as our delightful parks
and open spaces, our open-air swimming bath, our wide pleasant
streets, even our many and significant cultural activities, have
provided over the years. It can at least be said that the sum total
is substantial. Although it is very often claimed that the Southgate
of today owes much to the planners of yesterday, this is a statement
which can well bear repetition. We should, however, realise
lhat the problems of a fully-developed Borough, built up on many
years of what can truly be described as loving care, are very
different from those of an area which is still being developed, or
of a congested district which has passed its zenith.
This is a theme which I have felt compelled to elaborate on
several occasions. I do not apologise for its reappearance. With
an ageing population and a standard of property of which any
Borough could rightly be proud, we are, by virtue of these facts,
faced with problems which are in some ways unique. To realise
this fact, to face it squarely, will go a long way towards success,
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