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PORT OF LONDON SANITARY OFFICES,
TO THE WOJMIPMJL THE PORT OF LONDON SANITARY
GREENWICH, S.E.
20th January, 1892.
COMMITTEE.
Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit to you herewith my twenty-fourth halfyearly
Report of sanitary work performed in the Port of London by your
officers, which covers the six months ending 31st December, 1891.
During this period 7,733 vessels of all classes have been visited, no fewer
than 6,516 of which (= 84.26 per cent.) carried the British flag.
Of these 199 (=2.5 per cent.) required lime-washing or some cleansing to
be carried out. The proportion of vessels needing cleansing continues gradually
to fall, a most satisfactory proof of the value of constant sanitary supervision.
Full details are given as usual in the various tables appended hereto.
By reference to Appendix E, it will be seen that 214 structural alterations,
affecting 167 vessels, have been ordered for the improvement of ventilation,
lighting, heating, cleansing, or the storage of water. Of these, 170 are known
to be already carried out, leaving 44 still finally unaccounted for, those actually
carried out averaging about one to every working day throughout the six
months.
The most important sanitary event during the past year has been the
passing of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, which codifies the
existing law, and amends it in many important points.
The whole Act strengthens in every essential the position of the Sanitary
Authority and its officers, and, naturally, at the same time imposes many fresh
duties and responsibilities. Although at first it must add greatly to the work,
it is probable that eventually it will allow of much closer sanitary control and
obviate many of the difficulties which at present surround and impede
effective action.
By this Act the Public Health Act, 1875, so far as the powers of the Port
Sanitary Authority are concerned, is absolutely repealed. The Authority
itself is constituted anew under Section 111, which enacts that—
"The Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London shall
"continue to be the Port Sanitary Authority of the Port of London as