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37
Came to the conclusion that the Borough Councils had not neglected their
duty as to the inspection of food landed at the wharves, and refused to
acquiesce in the recommendation of the Dock Company, to have all the
wharves transferred so as to bring them under the supervision of the Port of
London Sanitary Authority.
Evidence was given at the above inquiry on behalf of most of the riverside
districts in London, and it may be fairly assumed that the method
adopted is almost similar in all cases. The examination may be slightly more
stringent in some districts than in others, but this depends more upon the
individual official than upon the system.
The Borough of Stepney contains about 2¼ miles of river frontage, and
includes more wharves where food is landed, than any other Metropolitan
Borough.
Upon the arrival of any vessel off Gravesend, its name is entered at the
Custom House, when a declaration is made of the cargo brought by such
vessel. The information thus obtained is printed, and circulated by the
Statistical Department of the Custom House. Each evening a report, known
by the name " Bill A " is issued, and this comprises all the entries at the
Custom House up to 4 p.m. every day. Arrangements are made by which a
copy of this report is posted every night to the food inspector, so that by the
first post in the morning he has before him a list of arrivals, and approximately
a description of the cargo of all the vessels that had arrived on the previous
day.
In the warehouse at the Docks, and on the wharves, the Customs
Authorities have the power to make a ten per cent. examination, and the food
inspector endeavours to be present at this examination in order to save the
expense and loss of time, which would be incurred by a double examination.
If, however, the inspector has reason to believe from their general
appearance, or from any other cause, that the goods are unsound, he does not
wait for the Customs examination, but proceeds with his own inspection, in
order to form an opinion as to their probable condition.
For their own protection, the importers also make an examination.
If the inspector has reason to believe that there is a large quantity of
“blown tins” in the consignment, he demands that each tin shall be examined
separately. This examination is then done by an experienced person in the
employ of the owner or his agents, and under the supervision of the food