View report page

I. STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
OF THE AREA.
General Information.
The Metropolitan Borough of Stepney is bounded on the west side by
the City of London, on the east by the Borough of Poplar, on the north
by the Boroughs of Shoreditch and Bethnal Green and on the south by the
River Thames, the river front being some 2.39 miles in length. It is
roughly rectangular in shape, the length being 2.3 miles and the breadth
varying from 1 to l½ miles, and contains approximately 90 miles of
streets. The area of the Borough is 1,902 acres, and of this the river
accounts for 136 acres and the inland water, consisting of docks and
canals, 75 acres.
Dark blue London clay is found under the whole Borough at a depth
of between 20 and 30 feet from the surface. Above this level are layers
and patches of gravel and sand, brown and yellow clays being found nearer
the surface. In some parts of the Borough are layers of "made" ground,
the result of earlier habitation, and, as is to be expected, the flow of
subsoil water is towards the river.
The area is to a large extent industrial in character, factory
premises being spread throughout the Borough but tending to be concentrated
towards the western end, with docks and wharves stretching along the
whole of the river front, which forms the southern boundary.
The chief industry of the Borough is the manufacture of clothing of
all kinds, and it is estimated that one-third of the tailoring industry
of London is carried on in Stepney. Other major industries include
brewing, cigarette making, engineering and the manufacture of furniture.
Stepney is also one of the most important wholesaling districts in
London. The Spitalfields wholesale fruit and vegetable market and the
London Fruit Exchange are situated in the Borough.
Fifty Years Ago.
The Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1908
contains the following information:
The estimated population was 310,706 but, in the opinion of the
Medical Officer of Health, was in fact somewhat higher.
The birth rate was reported to be 32.5, the lowest then on record.
The death rate was 16.6 and the infant mortality rate was 130 per
1,000 births. Among the causes of deaths reported were scarlet fever 55,
measles 264, diphtheria 74, vdhooping cough 129, diarrhoea 262, enteritis
130, tuberculosis 66l, premature births 143, alcoholism 48 and cancer 233.
Deaths of children under one yeax included 200 from diarrhoea and
96 from enteritis. There were 257 inquests on children under 5 years,
55 deaths being attributed to overlaying in bed by parents, 46 to convulsions
and 29 to burns and scalds.
6