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SCHOOLS.
There are now 18 public elementary schools and one central school. Some are modern upto-date
buildings, and others of the transitional period and not up to modern standards ; some are
considerably older and unsatisfactory from a hygienic point of view. These are being brought upto-date
so far as their structure allows.
CANAL BOATS.
During the year difficulty arose with regard to the interpretation of what was necessary to
ensure the adequate ventilation of canal boats with internal combustion engines.
The Regulations which were drawn up in 1878 were drawn up when all canal boats were horse
drawn. Subsequently some steam boats were on the canals, but they did not produce the conditions
which arise when internal combustion engines with their dangerous risks, are used, and the conditions
which were suitable when these Regulations were drawn up are not only unsuitable, but have with
them a definite element of danger when there is the possibility of the escape of exhaust gases into
the living quarters.
As the engine has been placed for'ard of the living quarters at the stern of the boat, and is
not sealed off, there is no let or hindrance in the majority of instances from any gases escaping from
the engine room into the living quarters.
Regulation 3(H) of the Canal Boat Regulations states that " The boat, if intended to be ordinarily
used for the conveyance of any foul or offensive cargo shall contain between the space to be occupied
by such cargo and the interior of any cabin intended to be used as a dwelling, two bulk-heads of
substantial construction which shall be separated by a space not less in any part than four inches,
and open throughout to the external air and furnished with a pump for the removal of any liquid
from such space, and the one adjoining the space to be occupied by the cargo shall be water-tight."
It is obvious that this Regulation was made as strict as this in order to deal with what is only
described as a " foul or offensive cargo," whereas the escape of exhaust gases from an internal combustion
engine must be classed as potentially dangerous, quite apart from any question of them
being objectionable.
Whilst admitting that the more or less open air life during the greater part of the day tends
to lessen any risk, the conditions during the day and night in the case of fly boats, and in other boats
in cold weather when the cabin doors are closed, are such that there is a definite passibility, in thecase,
of exhaust gases entering the cabin, of serious consequences to the occupants almost as great as those
in respect of which repeated warnings appeared in the press in connection with private garages and
exhaust gases.
Regulation 3(C), to the effect that " Every cabin, if intended to be used as a dwelling shall
be provided with sufficient means for the removal of foul and the admission of fresh air, exclusive
of the door or doors and of any opening therein," seems, as far as motor vessels are concerned, a dead
letter, and would, in my opinion, appear to be a definite laxity.
In passing these boats in the condition in which we see them in the Brentford Dock, there has
been, in my opinion, a definite violation of the Regulations higher up the canal where these boats
are registered.
There is also room for improvement in the ventilation usually found in the case of non-motor
canal boats, having regard to the present knowledge of ventilation and the appliances available
for effecting a definite improvement. It is invariably the practice to rely solely on the rear door
opening, or hatch in the case of fore cabins and very small openings in the bulkheads ventilating into
the cargo space, which, when the boat is loaded are occluded by the cargo, which again is battened
down under tarpaulins.
Another point to be considered is that during inclement weather or at night the door opening
or hatch is not available as a means of ventilation.
COPY OF REPORT FORWARDED TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
DATED 25th JANUARY, 1934, WITH REGARD TO CANAL BOATS.
Canal Boats Acts, 1877 to 1884.
In accordance with Section 3 of the Canal Boats Act, 1884, I beg to present herewith the Annual
Report for the year ended 31s/ December, 1933, as to the execution of the Canal Boats Acts, 1877, and
1884, and of the Regulations made thereunder, within the Borough of Heston and Isleworth, Middlesex.
Inspectors Appointed under Canal Boats Acts, at 31st December, 1933 :—
R. H. Butler [Chief Sanitary Inspector).
G. IV. Ashworth (District Sanitary Inspector).
A. H. Cornhill (District Sanitary Inspector).
L. Pinguey (District Sanitary Inspector).
No special remuneration is paid for the position.
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