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that our death-rate is rising, and must continue to rise unless the
smaller houses that are built here in future shall be provided
with better accommodation, with better materials, and on better
foundations than hitherto. I consider it most necessary that
all possible means should be used for preventing buildings being
erected on unsuitable ground, in unsuitable places, and with bad
materials. I therefore hope that a new Building Act will
speedily be passed, so as to give extra powers to the Metropolitan
Board of Works in preventing many of the building
scandals which have come to light during the last few years.
The average annual number of births during the 10 years,
1841-51, was 1398 ; in the next decnnium it was 2223; during
1861-71 it was 3140, and for 1871-75 it had increased to 4550.
The number of births to population for the same time was
as follows— in 1841-51, it was 28.3; for 1851-61, 31.8; for
1861-71, 33'8, and for 1871-75 33.9, showing a considerable
alteration in the character of the population since 1851. This
increased birth-rate has made our population a more highly
progressive one, and therefore tended, somewhat, to reduce our
death-rate, as shown by the difference between the mortality
of a life table or stationary and a progressive population. The
number of births to deaths has increased with the births, but not
quite in the same proportion as of births to population, for in the
10 years, 1841-51, there were 146 births to each 100 deaths; in
1851-61 there were 159 to each 100; in 1861-71 there were 156,
and during the five years, 1871-0, the rate has .increased up to
166 births for each 100 deaths. The increased number of births
and somewhat diminished death-rate account for the allowed
proportions.
The average number of deaths in 1841-51 was 946 per
annum; in 1851-61, 1391 ; in 1861-71, 2182, and in 1871-75 it
had mounted up to 2729. This number was in excess for the
year 1871 in consequence of the very large number of deaths
from small pox, which were nearly four times as numerous in this
district as the deaths from cholera in 1866. The average deathvat
c in London per 1000 population, for each year during the