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to houseboats. The right of entry to houseboats by a Sanitary
Authority for any purpose in connection with the conditions of
habitation therein is given by Section 3 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936.
The main source of control of houseboats comes from the
conditions imposed by the Waterways Authority in the issue of their
licences which insist, inter alia, "... that owners of pleasure
craft shall dispose of sewage and rubbish in accordance with the
local authority's requirements from time to time in force and in a
manner satisfactory to the Commission."
In April, 1959, thirteen houseboats were licenced in Paddington,
and in June seven were inspected by the Canal Boats Inspector
(Mr. Ronchetti) and myself. The general standard varies from fair
to good. One boat has a mains electricity supply and the boats of
lower standard appear to be in the process of improvement. In no
instance was there evidence of overcrowding or mixing of the sexes,
and the residents appeared to be happy and contented. All have
access to a main water supply from stand pipes, and in most cases
this has been piped aboard for use with sinks and baths and, in
some cases, water closets. The waste water from the sinks and baths
and the excreta from water-closets discharges direct into the canal
and the contents of Elsan closets are also deposited overboard.
There was no visible evidence of contamination or accumulation of
rubbish, except for the small amount of normal floating debris
which collects round moored boats. This is cleared as and when
necessary by a British Waterways workman. The houseboat
refuse is kept in dustbins and collected by a British Waterways
employee.
I was considerably perturbed at the possible danger to health
consequent upon the continued discharge into the canal of crude
sewage from the houseboats moored in Paddington. Accordingly I
arranged a number of meetings with representatives of the British
Waterways Authority, and I was given the greatest possible help and
co-operation in meeting this problem. The representatives were
most anxious to remove this risk without delay, and undertook to
construct toilet blocks ashore for the exclusive use of houseboat
residents at the moorings. It is anticipated that the new toilet
accommodation, with a separate section for the disposal of waste
from chemical closets, will be ready for use early in 1960.
The British Waterways Authority also instructed the residents
of the houseboats to arrange to remove from their craft every type
of toilet appliance discharging into the canal immediately after
the completion of the new facilities. In practice the present toilet
appliances will probably be effectively sealed off whilst the houseboat
is moored and chemical closets of an approved pattern installed
in the craft, but their contents will be discharged into the appropriate
section of the new toilet accommodation and not in the waterway.
A number of the residents are cultivating the adjoining embankment
and this tends to improve the picturesque amenities.
The houseboats moored in the Basin and the approach will
be kept under observation and, in consultation with the British
Waterways Authority, any improvement which may be necessary
from time to time will be effected.