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4
I have again to call your attention to the state of the water supply at
High Hill Ferry, and in the vicinity of the river Lea, generally. Nearly
eighteen months since I reported that more than one hundred- houses in
these localities were without a proper water supply ; that there were wells
on some of the premises ; but that, in the majority of cases, the inhabitants
were compelled to obtain their water from the river Lea, which is
totally unfitted for use. My report was referred to the Churchwardens,
but nothing has been done in the matter. It is one of the defects of the
Metropolis Local Management Act, that the Board of Works has no
power to enforce a water supply, except in localities where there is a
sewer, and then only in an indirect manner.
The number of births registered in the District during the quarter were
628 ; of which 332 were males and 296 females : the total deaths were
382; of which 192 were males, and 183 females. The excess of births
over deaths were, consequently, 246, against 206 in the corresponding
quarter of last year, but the total number of births was 30 less than last
year.
Of the 382 deaths, 37 were registered in the East London Union and
German Hospital, so that the number belonging to the District was 345.
Of the 382 deaths, '34 were registered in Stoke Newington ; 21 in Stamford
Hill; 96 in West Hackney; 168 in Hackney; and 63 in South
Hackney Sub-districts. The real mortality for the Hackney Sub-district
is much lower, as 37 deaths occurred in the East London Union and
German Hospital, and several in the Workhouse. Of the 628 births, 49
were registered in the Stoke Newington Sub-district; 43 in Stamford
Hill; 206 in West Hackney ; 228 in Hackney; and 102 in South
Hackney Sub-district.
The ages at death were as follows :—60 children died during the first
year of life; 101 died who were above 1 year but less than 20 years of
age ;. 49 died between 20 and 40 ; 51 between 40 and 60 ; no less than
96 who were above 60 and below 80 years of age; and 25 who so far
exceeded the ordinary duration of life as to be above 80 years of age at
their death.
Of the 382 deaths, 78 arose from epidemic diseases; 14 from mortification,
cancer, and other diseases of uncertain seat; 49 from tubercular
diseases, including 29 from consumption ; 64 from diseases of the brain
and nerves ; 11 from diseases of the heart and blood-vessels; 77 from
diseases of the lungs and organs of respiration ; 25 from diseases of the
stomach and digestive organs ; 9 from premature birth ; 29 from old age ;
and 9 from violent deaths.
Of the 9 deaths from violence, no less than 4 arose from burns. Now,
as the simple precaution of spaking the inflammable materials worn by