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15
In comparing the statistics in this report with those in
previous reports, it is important to note that in May, 1928,
the number of wards in the Borough was increased from 11
to 14. It had been apparent for some time that Eltham
Ward was too large, and so it was divided into three wards,
now known as Avery Hill, Sherard and Well Hall Wards.
The original St. Nicholas' Ward was for the same reason
divided into two—now known as the Abbey Wood and St.
Nicholas' Wards. During the year an enquiry was held by
the London County Council into a proposal to unify the three
civil parishes of Woolwich into one, to be known as the
Parish of the Borough of Woolwich. No Order, however,
had been made at the end of the year.
For many years the statistics of the Borough have been
presented in relation to the four registration districts of
Woolwich, West Plumstead, East Plumstead and Eltham,
and it is proposed to continue them in this form until accurate
figures for the wards are available after the Census of 1931.
Population. The Registrar General estimates the population
of the Borough at the 30th June, 1929, as 146,800.
This is the highest estimate since the end of the war. The
figures include the military, and in order to obtain the civilian
population, it is necessary to make a reduction of 5,200,
which is the estimated number of non-civilians. The civilian
population, therefore, is estimated to be 141,600. For several
years now I have been of opinion that the figure estimated
by the Registrar General is below the true estimate, and my
estimate of the population of the Borough at the middle of
1929 was 148,653. In the report, however, the Registrar
General's figures have been accepted for comparative statistical
purposes, but in sub-dividing his figures, allowances have
been made for internal movements in the Borough which
can be fairly accurately measured by an analysis of the