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17
Inspectors, the breaches of the Act are few in number and trifling in character,
and in no single instance daring the six months has the necessity arisen for
prosecution.
Probably no better example could be found of the improvement brought
about by the judicious administration of a practical Act of Parliament.
Briefly the result of these Acts has been to improve the condition of those
brought under its control both physically and morally. One very important
result has been to gradually diminish the number of women and children
carried on the boats.
Two hundred and thirty six have been inspected during the six months,
while eight have been registered by the authority, one of these being a new
boat, one re-registered owing to change of owners, and six owing to structural
alteration.
INFECTED CLOTHING.
In nine cases infected clothing was brought into the Port and dealt with by
your officers. In two cases these were the effects of small-pox patients, one
cholera, two typhoid fever, one influenza, and one unknown.
In each instance the facts were reported to the Board of Trade, and in
nearly all these some explanation was received later on.
SMOKE NUISANCE.
In pursuance of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, all vessels plying
above London Bridge, and between London Bridge and the Nore, have been
watched for smoke nuisance.
No proceedings have yet been taken, but in ten instances warning has been
given to the owners and the nuisance has at any rate been temporarily abated.
I have the honour to be,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
WILLIAM COLLINGRIDGE, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health, Port of London.
D