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WORKSHOP SUPERVISION
53
The appended comparative statement of the proportions of "black smoke," "smoke,"
and "no smoke," shows clearly the improvement which has taken place in the Borough, since
systematic supervision was first commenced in 1902.

To some extent the diminution in the amount of "black smoke" is due to the removal of
the Great Western Company's electric generating station from the Borough. There is,
however, far too much "smoke" emitted from business furnaces of all descriptions, with which
existing legislation is unable to deal. It cannot be too strongly urged that the production of such
smoke is not only prejudicial to the health of the inhabitants, both directly by the inhalation
of the particles of unburnt carbon, and indirectly by the impediment to the sun's rays, but is
also sheer waste of heat and power, and so unprofitable to the producer. The production of
smoke in quantities can be almost completely prevented by experienced and careful stokers.
Fresh legislation is needed to deal with the matter.
Canals.—Two complaints were received, both of offensive smells from barges laden with
refuse. No nuisance which could be dealt with was found to exist in either case,
The customary cleansing of the Paddington Basin took place at Easter, when about 500
tons of mud were removed, and about 500 yards of concrete renewed.
Canal Boats.—The annual report of the Examiner of Canal Boats was submitted to the
Council, and forwarded to the Local Government Board at the end of January. There were
a few trifling breaches of the Act, which were all remedied. No legal proceedings were
necessary. The number of boats at present on the register is 200.
No cases of infectious illness were reported during the year, and only two deaths occurred
among the occupants of the boats, viz.--One from bronchitis (male, aged 61 years), and one
from epidemic enteritis (male, aged 1 year).
WORKSHOP SUPERVISION.
This subject is dealt with in pursuance of Section 132 of the Factory and Workshop Act,
1901, which requires the Medical Officer of Health to "report specifically" on the
adminstration of the Act within his district. The Home Office issues a memorandum on the
subjects to be included in such report. In addition to the tables prepared by the Department,
which are included in the text, a special form is required by the Home Office, which will
be found in the Appendix (Table I X).
Registration.—To the Registers of the Department, which contained 1,458 premises at the
close of 1906, there were added 181 premises during 1907, and 203 premises were removed,
leaving 1,436 effective entries at the close of last year. The premises then on the Registers,
included 124 factories, 861 workshops, 23 domestic workshops, 61 workplaces, and 367
premises occupied by "single workers," 215 of the last being included in the Register of Outworkers'
premises. Table 35 gives an analysis of the businesses, and an approximation of the
numbers of employees.