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£652,000. In these thirty years the number of houses increased
from 4,500 to 27,000. This rapid expansion was responsible not
only for the present importance of the area, but also for many of
its present social difficulties.
The Borough contains along' its southern boundary some
of the finest docks in the world. These are under the control of
the Port of London Authority. The last important dock to be
constructed—the King George the Fifth Dock—was opened in
1921.
Some of the many important industries which arc found
in this area are dealt with in later sections. At present the area
is largely industrial, commercial and residential—a considerable
proportion of the houses being of a type suitable for the workingclasses.
There is thus ample scope for the enforcement of the
statutes which deal with public health and housing.
In recent years many developments have taken place in the
lines of communication in the area. The River Lee Backwater
Scheme has now been practically completed, and another important
artery is the Silvertown Way.
The area was constituted a borough by Royal Charter in
1886, and it was then divided into four wards—viz., Stratford,
Forest Gate, Plaistow and Canning Town. In 1899 the borough
was divided into twelve wards—viz., New Town; Forest Gate;
High Street; Broadway; Park; Upton; West Ham; Plaistow;
Hudsons; Canning Town; Tidal Basin; Custom House and
Silvertown. In 1921 a re-distribution of the area again took
place, and the following sixteen wards were constituted:—New
Town; Forest Gate; High Street; Broadway; Park; Upton;
Plashet Road; West Ham; Plaistow; Bemersvde; Canning Town
and Grange; Hudsons; Ordnance; Beckton Road; Tidal Basin;
Custom House and Silvertown. No further re-distribution has
taken place, so that the statistics for wards given in other sections
of this report are strictly comparable from 1921 to date.
Further particulars of the historical development of this
interesting area will be found in the book "Fifty Years a Borough :
1886-1936. The Story of West Ham" published by the County
Borough Council in 1936.
Area. The area of the county borough is 4,689 acres. As
the area is surrounded by other local authorities, no extension
is possible under the present constitution of local government.
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