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REPORT.
HE first step towards the compilation of my third annual
report will be an endeavour to arrive at as correct an
estimate of our population as circumstances will permit. I have
before explained how manifold are the causes which operate in
varying the number of people in different parts of the District at
different times, and I have alluded, somewhat in detail, elsewhere
to the part registered lodging-houses play in this particular. I
will now explain that by taking the mean birth-rate of the two last
census years—and calculating our population for 1886 upon that
basis, I find that we should have 72,142 persons in the Whitechapel
District. In support of the probable correctness of such calculation,
I may mention that in 1871, when the District contained
76,573 persons, " The Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Acts"
had not come into operation. Since that time, I find that there
have been dislodged from their residences by various agencies,
11,859 persons, as follows: —
From the Royal Mint-street area ... ... 3750
,, Flower and Dean-street area ... ... 2277
,, Goulston-street area ... ... ... 2757
By the East London Railway Improvements... 56
,, Met. and District Railway ditto ... 380
,, London, Tilbury and Southend ditto... 2579
,, Other alterations in the District ... 60
Total ... 11,859
On the other hand, various model and other dwellings have
been eretfted, which at present accommodate 6,423 persons, thus,
should no other changes have taken place, our population would
be 71,137. Apart, however, from the natural increase of births
over deaths, we are aware that many persons who were dislodged
from the areas I have named, took advantage of rooms which were
offered in the immediate neighbourhood of their former homes, and
thus many houses which were previously occupied by only a few