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One boat was re-registered on account of structural alterations having been
made, viz., the construction of sleeping accommodation for an additional
hand; eleven were re-registered for other reasons, principally change of
ownership.
The total number of boats registered is below the mean for the preceding
five years.
Legal proceedings have not been taken, although in one instance such were
ordered, on the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health, viz., in the
case of the "Mary Ann," of Towcester, No. 140. This boat is owned by
the master, who makes his home on board. At one time his wife accompanied
him, but it appears that since her decease the man has been accompanied by
an adult daughter and two young children, all occupying the after cabin,
which was not re-registered or fitted accordingly.
The boat was first met with on the 14th January, 1902, and the master
was cautioned. It was again seen on the 19th March, and found
occupied as before. At their next Meeting the Port Sanitary Committee
ordered that the master should be summoned for an offence under the Canal
Boats Acts. Since that date, however, the boat has not been seen in London,
and enquiries made with regard to the whereabouts and movements of the
boat have been unsuccessful.*
In another case, that of the "Nansen,'' Berkhampstead, No. 261, a lad over
14 years of age was found occupying the same cabin as his parents.
The parents were warned, and the infringement remedied the next day by
the lad sleeping in the fore cabin. The boat left this Port for Sonning Mills,
Reading, and the Registration Authority there was advised, the result being
that when the boat reached there it was found that the undertaking given by
the parents had been adhered to. The lad subsequently left the boat.
Three cases of overcrowding were met with, in all cases caused by children
in excess of the number registered for. Warnings were given in each case.
Two boats have been disinfected for infectious disease.
On March 8th, it was reported that one of the crew of the steam canal boat
"England," Port of London, No. 19, had been removed from his home at
Erith to the hospital of the Metropolitan Asylums Board suffering from
Small-pox. The boat was therefore found and disinfected.
On October 22nd, the wife of the master of the canal boat "Providence,"
Berkhampstead, No. 282, complained of feeling unwell, with symptoms of a
severe cold. On the 7th November she left the boat at Brentford, and was
admitted to the Cottage Hospital there with supposed Influenza, which was
*Since going to press it has been ascertained that this man was summoned at Coventry, in
December, 1900, for precisely the same offence, and fined 20s. and 13s. Costs.