View report page

REPORT.
Physical Features and General Character of the
District.—The District is somewhat flat, having a slight rise
towards the Southern or Morden aspect. In the Northern or
Merton portion the sub-soil consists of loamy gravel, which
thins out and merges into the underlying clay in the East,
West, and the whole of the Southern or Morden portion. The
acreage of the combined District is about 3,237 acres, only a
small portion being built upon. The surface is drained by
the River Wandle, the Pyl and Beverley Brooks.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS.
The rentals of the houses, which will be given in some
little detail, will supply a clue to the class of inhabitants in
the District. Suffice it to say that the majority belong to the
working classes. Mr. List, Clerk to the Croydon Union
Guardians, has supplied me with the following figures. The
number of cases does not embrace the number of persons
actually relieved.
Cases.
Workhouse 42
Infirmary 63
Outdoor Relief 75
The Rev. Mr. Jagger, the Rector of Merton, has again
kindly supplied me with regard to the gratuitous relief in his
Parish. He says that " poverty has not beein so evident or
pressing among our parishioners during the last year. . . .
My impression also is that there has been less unemployment.'
He has not had "quite so many applications for admission to
Hospitals and Convalescent Homes." Out-patients' letters for
the London Hospitals have been needed, principally for
children.