LONDON'S GROWTH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 15 April 1908, Page 7

LONDON'S GROWTH.

ABOUT 4000 HOUSES ADDED EVERY YEAR. MORE VOTERS. The annual Statistical Abstract for London issued in February by the London County Council again affords remarkable illustration of the steady growth of the world's largest aggregation of human things. When the last census was taken in 1901 the population of the County of London was 4,536,433 — almost exactly double the total of fifty years before. The natural growth of the population since then has been as follows: — Six years' births 775,829 Less six years' deaths 443,892 Net increase 331,937 This growth in the population is emphasised by the fact that each year since 1901 has seen about 4000 houses added to the list of those for which rates are being paid. ,The actual figures are as follows: — Rated houses. April, 1901 603,118 ' April, 1906 626,245 April, 1907 629,853 Rateable value has also increased in the six years by nearly" £4,000,000. \ in 1901 the amount per head was £8 14s, while last year it had risen to £9 Bs. Another sign of the growth of the metropolis may be seen in the voting strength of the population. Here are the figures: — 1901. 1906. Parliamentary voters 529,913 686,994 Parochial voters ... 711,575 840,736 Less than half the voters go to the poll in the parochial elections, how.ever, although it is noteworthy that at the last election for the London County Council the percentage rose to 55.5, or 10 ,per cent, mor than in 1904. At the last Parliamentary election there was a notable increase from 65.4 per cent, polled in 1900 to 78.3 per cent. It is an interesting fact that with the growth of the population and the increase in the number' of houses, the agricultural land in London is fast reaching vanishing point. Six years ago 470 acres of land were placed under crops, but in 1906 the total was only 266 acres. Just under 1000 of the 5500 cattle kept in London six years ago have disappeared, while even the sheep have lost 700 of their number. The work done in the county under the Food and Drugp Act is steadily increasing as the local authorities become more and more in earnest in their determination to protect the food of, the people from adulteration. Here is the comparison: — ' 1903: 343 samples per 100,000 of population. 1907: 474 samples per 100,000 of population. There are many things which show that the health of London is improving. Among these is the fact that despite the growth in the population the number of deaths per year has fallen from 78.058 to 71.813, while the death rate per 1000 of the population has fallen from 17.1 to 15.2. BLANKETS AND RUGS AT "THE ECONOMIC." / The warmest and heaviest Blankets "and Runjß your money can buy. Most Blankets go thin after being washed a few times, but the Blankets you get at "The Economic" seem to improve with washing. There's long service in them, and they are just the Blankets to suit the woman who wants something good at a moderate price. Ruge for all purposes are shown you, and yon simply can't leave the store dissatisfied. — Advt. iJ'or Bronchial Coughs take Woodß' Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6d- and 2s 6d.— Advt.