View report page

2
Overcrowding was prevalent in 1901, and it was most difficult to abate it due to
the dearth of empty houses. It was almost impossible to have a house without
paying a premium which was called "key money." In 1904, the number of empty
houses became abnormal, and the number was on the increase until 1908, as is seen
by the following figures which the Borough Treasurer has supplied me with—
In the quarter ended March 31st, 1904, the number was 1,073.
In the quarter ended March 31st, 1906, the number was 1,670.
In the quarter ended March 31st, 1907, the number was 2,865.
In the quarter ended March 31st, 1908, the number was 2,944.
In the quarter ended March 31st, 1909, the number was 2,729.
In the quarter ended March 31st, 1910, the number was 2,529.
Rents have been reduced with the result that families, which in 1901 could not
afford to rent two rooms, are now able to rent three or more at the same price.
This method of estimating the population, however, has advantages over others
which are sometimes employed. One method is based upon the extent of the
excess of the number of births over the number of deaths in any particular year.
The excess of births over deaths is known as the natural increase " in the population,
but the accuracy of this method obviously rests upon the absence of any
marked difference between the immigration and emigration associated with the
district concerned.
In the Borough of Stepney, emigration and immigration profoundly affect the
population, and any estimate based upon the natural increase of the population
would be almost worthless. It will be thus understood that, after a certain period
since the census was taken, all methods of estimating the population are liable to
error.
On the whole, the method adopted by the Registrar-General is the most reliable
for this district, but if an allowance is made for unoccupied houses, it is probably
about 23,000 less.
This will have the effect of making the birth-rate and death-rate slightly higher
than that recorded in this report.
Births.
The total number of births registered during the year was 9,167, or 335
less than in the preceding year. They consisted of 4,561 males and 4,606 females.
1,801 belonged to the Limehouse District, or at the rate of 30.2 per 1,000
of the population.
1,861 belonged to St. George-in-the-East, or at the rate of 34.4 per 1,000
of the population.