Official Guide to the Metropolitan Borough of Poplar

CONTENTS

• Foreword
• General Information
• Miscellaneous Facts and Figures
• Borough Officers
• The Mayoralty
• Council Activities
• The Finances of the Borough
• The Streets of the Borough
• Tree Planting
• The Public Libraries
• Electric Lighting
• The Borough Baths
• Public Wash-houses
• Refuse Disposal
• The Health of the Borough
• The Borough Housing Schemes
• The Board of Guardians
• Unemployment Problems
• Borough of Poplar Children's Carnival Fund
• Poplar Charities
• London County Council Undertakings in the Borough
• The Growth of the Borough
• Old-time Distinguished Residents
• The Parishes of the Borough:
• Poplar
• Bromley
• Bow
• The River Lea
• Borough of Poplar Chamber of Commerce

FOREWORD

It is confidently hoped that this handbook will be found to meet a real want in the Borough of Poplar. Beyond a few records at the Public Libraries, no attempt has ever been made to bring together in one volume a comprehensive survey of the borough or to assemble the information here set out.

While Poplar does not invite comparison in certain directions with London boroughs which possess distinctive characteristics and advantages more or less peculiar to themselves, it nevertheless is not without compensating features, and for a densely populated area its health records are an excellent testimonial to the efficiency of its administration. The enlightened policy also to which the beautifying of its streets with trees is due, and which has manifested itself in outstanding provisions for the health and comfort of its inhabitants, is one worthy of all praise. Some of the problems which the Borough has had to face as an aftermath of the War have been of a more than ordinarily difficult character in consequence of the normal mode of employment of a large section of its population. Experience has been gained in this connection not without value in shaping future policy. London as a whole, it should be remembered, in great measure depends upon the activities and right governance of this important industrial area, a fact which emphasizes the importance of the Borough.

Readers of this handbook who have not yet visited Poplar may do so in the confident expectation of finding much to interest them. The Docks alone, with their numerous vessels from many foreign climes, unloading or loading their cargoes, the cosmopolitan crews, the prevailing scent of cordage peculiar to shipping, amid the all-pervading evidences of a great maritime trade, never fail to fascinate those who but rarely come in contact with this side of commerce. Added to this the Borough has well-marked features which the interested visitor will not be slow to notice.

Grateful thanks are gladly accorded for assistance so kindly given in the compilation of this Guide by the various Borough Authorities, including the former Town Clerk, Mr. C. H. Shillinglaw, the Deputy Town Clerk, Mr. W. E. Nicholls, the M.O.H., Dr. Alexander, and the Borough Librarian. To Mr.W. B. Thorne, of Bromley Library, particular thanks are due for his special help.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Population of the Borough (estimated 1926) 168,500.
Early Closing Day: Thursday. Hairdressers, Monday.

RAILWAY CONNECTIONS:

Railway Stations in Borough: L.N.E. Rly., Blackwall to City (Blackwall, Poplar, Millwall Junction,
West India Docks) ; L.M.S. Rly, Poplar to City (Broad Street), (Poplar, South Bromley, Bow, and Old Ford) ; L.M.S., Tilbury Section (Bromley and Devons Road) ; District Rly (to and from City, etc.), Bow Road ; L.N.E. Rly. (Gt. E. Section), Bow Road.

GENERAL OMNIBUS ROUTES:

TRAMS:

L.C.C. cars from Aldgate via Bow Road, Nos. 61 & 63.
L.C.C. cars from Bloomsbury via East India Deck Road No. 65.
L.C.C. cars from Aldgate via East India Dock Road (to Barking), No. 67.