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24
An Inspector visiting a barge by day is told that the after-cabin is registered
for a man, wife, and children under 12, and that the fore-cabin is
registered for one girl over age, and the certificate bears this out. Whereas,
a night visit would, I am convinced, often show the whole family in one cabin.
On the whole, the experience of the Canal Boats Acts in the Port of
London is a favourable and encouraging one. Much remains to be done, but
I am certain that there is due to their working a steady though necessarily
a slow improvement in the morality and condition of our boatmen.
The district has been repeatedly visited by the Canal Boat Inspector of the
Local Government Board, Mr. J. L. Brydone, with whom I am in frequent
communication, and to whom I am indebted for many valuable suggestions
and much kindly assistance.
A summary of the figures referred to is given in the appendix.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
WILLIAM COLLINGRIDGE, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health, Port of London.