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This, it is stated, is necessary for the purposes of the local
death-rates because it has proved impossible to transfer the
deaths of non-civilians to their areas of residence, or to deal
in any other satisfactory manner with the local mortality of
this element of the population.
The natural increase of population by excess of births
over deaths during 1919 amounted to 1,014.
The estimates of the Registrar-General for the Borough
are probably too low. Judging from the rationing returns*
and by the existing conditions as to housing in Battersea, it is
probable that the population is at least equal to, if not greater
than, that enumerated at the Census of 1911. The conditions
brought about by the war render it very difficult to estimate
with accuracy the present population. The Census is now nearly
due (1921), and it will then be possible to ascertain the true
facts in regard to the recent estimates of the population.
Battersea is, in the main, a working-class district, and
the principal industries employ only a comparatively small
proportion of the population. It is, therefore, to a great
extent, a dormitory for the residents, and its proximity to the
large business areas of Central London and the West End
makes it a convenient residential quarter for workers whose
employment is situate in these districts. The housing difficulty
has tended to strain the existing housing accommodation in
the Borough, and the increased cost of transport has probably
been instrumental in still further promoting the tendency to
serious overcrowding, which is unfortunately becoming evident
through the recent activity in house-to-house inspection.
In spite of these, it is to be hoped, temporary drawbacks, the
health of the Borough, as will be noted from a perusal of this
Report, continues to be well-maintained, and compares
favourably in this respect with other Metropolitan Boroughs.
Births.
During the year 3,075 births were registered in Battersea.
Of these births 1,596 were males, and 1,479 females, showing
an excess of 117 males. The births were 375 in excess of the
number registered in the Borough in 1918.
The births in the three registration sub-districts of the
Borough were as follows:—
Males. Females. Total.
East Battersea 696 638 1,334
North-West Battersea 532 479 1,011
South-West Battersea 368 362 730
Borough 1,596 1,479 3,075
* The estimated population according to the Rationing Returns is 167,685