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16
Section I.— NATURAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF
THE DISTRICT.
1. Physical Features and General Character of the
District.— The surface is gently undulating, flatter in the
southern portions, rising to a higher elevation in the
northern parts. Ilford is situated on the London clay, but this
only comes to the surface as a narrow strip running almost due
east and west through the middle of the district. In addition,
there is a large patch to the north-west, as exemplified in the
names of Clayhall and Claybury.
There is a large area of brick-earth lying roughly in the
angle between the junction of the Romford Road with the Ilford
Lane, extending down the Romford Road as far as St. Mary's
Church, and down Ilford Lane nearly to Uphall Farm.
The rest of the subsoil is gravel.
Ilford is one of the largest Urban Districts in the County of
Essex, the population being concentrated in the south-western
portion of the district, while the remaining larger portion is still
rural. A large proportion of the inhabitants earn their living in
London, which is only seven miles distant. The population
mainly belongs to the lower middle class, with a proportion of
other classes. There are a few industries:—(1) Photographic
works, (2) paper mills, (3) manufacturing chemists, (4) electric
battery makers, (5) nautical instrument makers.
2. Poor Relief.— The total amount expended in Ilford
during the year was £4,145 10s. 1d. There is no return showing
the yearly number of persons in receipt of relief. The average
weekly number in receipt of relief was 344 or about 150 cases or
families.
The number of admissions to the Guardians' Institution from
Ilford during the year was 234, made up as follows:—
Men 79
Women 103
Children 52