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6
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The Borough of East Ham has an area of 3,355 acres,
including inland water. It extends from the River Thames
on the South to the Urban District of Wanstead on the North.
On the East the River Roding separates it from the Urban
Districts of Barking and Ilford, while on the West it adjoins the
County Borough of West Ham.
The sub-soil is sand and gravel, with the exception of a
portion of the South of the Borough where it consists of
alluvium overlying the London clay.
The altitude is not great, the highest point above ordnance
datum being about 50 feet.
For administrative purposes the Borough is divided into
six Wards, it forms part of the Parliamentary Division of
Romford, and for purposes of the Poor Law is included in the
West Ham Union.
The population is chiefly working class, the majority being
employed in London. There are few factories in the Borough,
the most important local industry being the Beckton Gas
Works.
Water is supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board, the
quality is good and the supply constant.
The streets are well kept, and nearly all are planted
with trees. These number at present about 17,000, and form
quite a feature of the district.
The Borough is well supplied with Gas and Electric Light,
the latter works being owned by the Corporation.
Electric Trams, also a Corporation undertaking, not only
traverse the Borough, but run to Ilford, Barking, Canning
Town, Poplar, Stratford, and also to Bow, where they join the
London County Council system.