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Statistics and Social Conditions of the Area.
West Ham is the eleventh largest of the 122 Great Towns
of England and Wales. It is situate on the extreme west of the
County of Essex, and on the eastern side of the administrative
County of London. Its area covers 4,706 acres.
The Charter of incorporation was granted to West Ham in 1886.
The celebrations in connection with the Jubilee of the
Incorporation of the Borough, which were carried out from 6th
to 11th July, exceeded all expectations. Exhibitions showing
many phases of municipal activities were held at the Town Hall
and various other places. In addition to these Exhibitions,
Gymnastic Displays and other forms of entertainment were given.
Judging by the number of citizens who visited these places
of interest and, in addition, made numerous enquiries, the
function can be truly said to have been very useful, in so far as
it did definitely amaze the people when they saw and heard of the
manifold branches of the work of the various departments of the
Council.
West Ham being an industrial borough, it has a goodly
number of persons who unfortunately cannot find employment.
The insurable population of the district is approximately 97,000,
of which 10.1 were unemployed (Men 12.9, Women 4.6, Juveniles
3.4). This is a decided drop from 1935, when the figure was
12.6, and reveals an improvement in all local industries. The
figure of 10.1 is the third highest for the Metropolitan and extraMetropolitan
districts.
The River Lee Backwater Scheme is practically complete.
This Scheme will no doubt contribute in some small way to solving
the unemployment question in North West Ham, as I understand
factories are already being built on sites which were previously
unsuitable.
Factories abound on the river frontages, West and South.
In the North there are extensive railway works, which give
employment to a large number of regular hands. Until just
recently these railway works were working a short week, but
now happily the employees can look forward to a full week's work.
The Borough is only a short distance from the City of
London, hence a large number of the people seek their daily
occupation in London and district.
This year there has been no outstanding illness or sickness
particularly affecting the health of the people.
Summary of General Statistics.
Area (in acres), 4,706.
Population—Census, 1931 - 294,278.
Estimated population to middle of 1936, 265,800.
Number of inhabited houses, 50,163.
Number of families or separate occupiers (1931), 72,994.
Average Rateable Value—General Rate, £1,5,10,131.
Sum represented by a Penny Rate—General District Rate, £6,292.
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