London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1901
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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65
Year.
1881.
1891.
1891.
1900.
No. of Unoccupied Houses
1,600
1,081
740
564
These figures show at least an increasing demand for housing
accommodation, and strengthen the above conclusions.
(b) INCREASED COST OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND
LABOUR,
Leading to Increased Value of Houses with Corresponding
Rise in Rent.
The following table shows the average prices of the chief materials
used in building, together with the rate of wages of the chief workmen
and labourers employed in the years 1880, 1890 and 1900.
AVERAGE PRICES OF MATERIALS AND LABOUR DURING THE YEARS 1880, 1890 & 1900.
| Materials. | 1880. | 1890. | 1900. | Average percen' ge increase. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bricks | Average Stocks | 27/- per 1000 | 30/- | 37/6 | 39% |
| Timber | Average 3 by 9 Yel | £10 St. Petersg. Standard | £10 | £13 | 30 % |
| Lead | Sheets average | £13 per ton | £12 and £13 | £20 | 54% |
| Iron | Rolled Joists | £5 per ton | £5 | £9 | 80% |
| Stone | York | 4/6 feet cube | 4/6 | 5/6 to 6/- | 27 % |
| Lime | Grey and Chalk | 10/- per yard | 10/- | 12/6 and 13/6 | 30% |
| Cement | Portland | 35/- per | 35/- | 42/- | 20 % |
| Average | 40% | ||||
| Bricklayer | Rate per hour | 9d. | 9d. | 10½d. | 16% |
| Carpenter | do. | 9d. | 9d. | 10½d. | 16% |
| Plasterer | do. | 9d. | 9d. | 10½d. | 16 % |
| Plumber | do. | 10d | 10d. | 11½d | 16% |
| Painter | do. | 7½d. and 8d. | 7½d. and 8d. | 8½d. | 14% |
| General Labourer | do. | 5½d. and | 6d. | 7½d. | 30% |
| 6d. | Average | 18% | |||
* I am indebted for these prices to Mr. W. M. Dabbs, of Upper Clapton.