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arrangements for ventilation are most likely to be not in work, these infants
are certain to remain constantly witbin tbe stuffy cabin.
It must also be remembered that although an infant's lungs are smaller and
contain a less amount of air, nevertheless the breathing is more rapid, and
the result of mal-oxidization far more hurtful.
Moreover, any indulgence (given with a mistaken idea of kindness), in
the case of infants, only tends to keep the women and other young children
on the boats—an objectionable result in all cases.
If a mother is compelled to remove her babe, she is certain to take with
her the other younger ones of her family, and the removal of every woman or
child from a canal boat is a distinct and decided step in advance.
Whether one considers the point, either from the view of decency, morality,
education, or health, the limited space of a canal boat cabin cannot afford a
suitable home for the rearing of a family.
The result of the Acts, undoubtedly, was, for some time, to lessen the
number of family boats, but lately this influence has not been so marked.
There are many reasons, the main one obviously being the financial one.
A poor boatman earning just enough to live upon is scarcely open to
conviction on the question. Living together, he feels he can support his
family, but if he has to keep up two establishments, one must suffer.
The registration of new boats proceeds very slowly, owing to reasons
previously given.
Only thirteen have been registered within the last year, while two have been
re-registered on account of some change ; this leaves the number on the
register 221.
A certificate of registration has been cancelled in one case only, though many
boats are known to be no longer used as residences.
If, however, they are duly marked, and carry their certificates on board,
they are still considered as canal boats.
There is one point in the inspection of canal boats to which I would
specially call attention, and of which the boatmen complain very much.
Inspectors are frequently appointed who have no special knowledge of
boats, and thus cause considerable trouble by their unreasonable demands.
It may not be necessary, nor even wise, to appoint a seaman in every case,
but an inspector should certainly have a thorough knowledge of boats and
boatmen before he enters upon his duties. The same remarks apply also to the
certificate of registration, which is obviously made out by the authority on the
report of its inspector. The certificate is sometimes shown and an interpretation
asked for. Thus a boat was met with, registered for six adult persons,