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It ofttimes happens that a man is in charge of one barge only for a few.
days, and is then changed to another to suit the convenience of the firm ;
and in some cases the number of hands employed varies, and is less than the
number of craft.
This point has, therefore, not been insisted upon.
There still remains the great difficulty of notification of disease on sailing
barges under the Merchant Shipping Act, and, therefore, not liable to
registration under the Canal Boats Acts.
The Corporation has endeavoured, at my suggestion, to induce the Local
Government Board, under the powers of Section 10 of the Canal Boats Act of
1877, to make a regulation bringing them under the latter Act, but there are,
apparently, insurmountable difficulties in the way.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
WILLIAM COLLINGRIDGE, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health, Port of London.