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6
DEATHS of INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR OF AGE.
The deaths of Infants under one year of age to 1,000 births were 142
during the year 1907.
The deaths under one year of age to 1,000 births for the last 15
years were as follows :
1893 178 1901 168
1894 163 1902 166
1895 201 1903 148
1896 192 1904 174
1897 187 1905 148
1898 190 1906 144
1899 199 1907 142
1900 192
The average number of Infantile deaths for the last fifteen years
is 173.
POPULATION.
The chief feature in the population of the Borough is the increasing
reversion to nomadic instincts which in the last few years has taken such
hold of all classes of the inhabitants.
Although the exodus of the well-to-do portion is in many ways to be
deplored, yet the splitting up or part removal of slum residents has had a
highly educational effect upon those left behind. The Clandon Street
area in regard to new buildings is approaching completion, but it can
hardly be expected that the usual number of people housed there before
the Ecclesiastical Commissioners cleared the site will be found resident
again before the next census is taken. Our large property owners
have found it very difficult to let their houses at the rents obtaining a
few years ago, and in many cases a reduction of more than ten per cent.
has been made. In the middle of the year it was estimated that five per cent. of the properties in the Borough were empty, and that three per cent. paid no rates, the difference being accounted for by "compounding."
The old style of letting to one person of houses of three or more storeys
is fast giving way, owing to the indisposition of tenants to undertake
the responsibility of so large a rent, to floor or suite letting. There is
evidence all over the Borough of shrinkage of incomes shown by the
removal of families into more restricted house accommodation or to the