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kindly given to me by Mr. HyamS, that a large number of Polish and Dutch
Jews inhabit numerous courts in his District. The same may be said of
many of the courts in the Whitechapel North Sub-district.
This class of persons occasionally crowd together to an extent
dangerous to the public health; and it is not improbable, from the
results of special night visits made by the Inspectors, that the number
of nightly lodgers in some of the lowest class of houses, which are let
out in tenements, has been understated by the owners of such houses
in giving in their returns to the Collectors of the Census Papers, either
from their ignorance of the fact, or from their fear of incurring legal
proceedings for overcrowding; and hence the population of the District
may be somewhat greater than is shown by the returns of the Registrar
General.
It is a matter for regret that, in taking the census, the persons
occupying each room in a house had not been enumerated.
Mr. Hyams says that in carrying out his duties as Registrar, he
has four distinct classes of persons to deal with, viz :—
1. Ordinary inhabitants.
2. An Irish Colony.
3. A large number of Foreign Jews, and
4. An assemblage of Vagabond Characters.
The obtaining of the necessary information from the last two
mentioned classes, must have given a large amount of trouble to
Ms. Hyams in arranging his plans, and in carrying them out. Great
credit is therefore due to that officer for the manner in which his duties
have been fulfilled.
In concluding his Report, Mr. Hyams says, that during the 10 years
since the taking of the previous census, "The Common Lodging Houses
have much increased, and where a single family occupying a house suitable
for the purpose has removed therefrom, it has, as a rule, been let in
tenements. On the other hand, a large diminution of houses and inhabitants
has taken place by the pulling down of Phoenix Street and the
Courts therein, with portions of Brick Lane, Queen Street, Hope Street,
Grey Eagle Street, and Wheeler Street, for the City Extension of the
Great Eastern Railway."
Similar remarks, as regards the conversion of family residences into
lodging-houses let out in separate tenements, whereby the population is
kept up in number, apply to nearly every part of this District.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Tour obedient Servant,
15, Great Alie Street. JOHN LIDDLE.