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8
Population.
At the Census of 1931 the population of the Borough was
37,791 while the Registrar General's estimate in the middle of 1950
was 42,410.
Since 1943 there has been an excess of births over deaths each
year until 1950 when 641 births are recorded compared with 501
deaths.
Births.
During the year 641 births were recorded—(326 males and
315 females).

After the end of the war the birth rate rose to a peak in 1947
—since then there has been a tendency for it to fall, but it remains
well above the pre-war level of under 400 births per annum.
The number of illegitimate births was 43 compared with 40 in
the previous year.
75% of births took place in hospitals or nursing homes and
only 25% in dwelling houses.
There were 38 premature births belonging to this district.
Thirty two of these survived for over 28 days and six died within
seven days of birth. Health visitors are notified early of the
occurrence of a premature birth and every possible form of assistance
is given to the mother.
Deaths.
The total number of deaths occurring amongst residents was
501 (245 males and 256 females) compared with 508 in the previous
year. This gives a crude death rate of 11.8 per thousand of the
population compared with 11.6 for England and Wales. This is a
crude death rate which is not strictly comparable with other