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7
ANNUAL BIRTH RATE.
The births during the year were 5152; the increase at the rate of 40-6
per 1000, while for the same period the average for the whole of London
was 35-7, so that our birth rate was 4-9 per 1000 above the average for
the entire Metropolis.
ANNUAL DEATH RATE.
The deaths during the year were 3142, and the annual rate of mortality
24-7 per 1000, one death in 5'6 being attributable to Zymotic disease.
The average death rate for the whole of London during the same period
was 22'5 per 1000.
POPULATION.
I estimate the Population of the Parish at the present time at 127,000,
and taking the official Report upon the census for the last dicennial
period as the basis of calculation, I believe it may be relied upon, as for
some time past both immigration and emigration, so far as the parish is
concerned, have been nearly at a standstill, and the houses that have
been demolished have been replaced by other buildings that furnish
houses for as many, if not a greater number, than were displaced. In
respect to this matter, I would observe, that although the strict supervision
that is exercised in regard to the letting of tenements in the
Waterlow Buildings and other places of a like character, together with
the excellence of the Sanitary Arrangements, as compared with those
existing in the majority of the homes of the labouring portion of the
community, is calculated to reduce the evils arising from overcrowding,
and otherwise tend to improve the health of the neighbourhood; still
something further was necessary to enable the Local Authorities to provide
for the comfort of the poorer class of the inhabitants in the area
over which they exercise control. This power has now been supplied by
the " Artisans Dwellings Act," passed during the last Session of Parliament,
which I commend to the careful consideration of the Yestry,
believing that if judiciously applied, it may be productive of the most
beneficial results. It will be observed that great authority is placed in
the hands of the Medical Officer of Health, but there can hardly be a
doubt that the responsibility of the position will, in every instance, be
appreciated, and that the utmost care will be exercised in the performance
of these duties.