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53
The expression of pious opinions by a Departmental Committee of the
Board of Trade will not improve the conditions of life on board ships, the
Board of Trade do not possess the necessary staff to supervise these conditions,
and there is no doubt that all questions relating to health on ships should be
dealt with by the various Sanitary Authorities acting under the Local
Government Board, whilst those appertaining to safety of the ship should be
left in the hands of the Board of Trade.
POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS.
In Appendix H is given particulars of the cases in which Police Court
proceedings have been taken. These will be seen to number nine, and to include
offences against the nuisance clauses of the Public Health Acts, the Canal
Boats Acts, and Byedaws of the Port Sanitary Authority relating to Offensive
Cargoes.
In only one case did the Authority fail to obtain a conviction, this being a
prosecution under the Canal Boats Acts. Full particulars will be found in the
special report on the working of these Acts.
SANITARY WORKS AND ALTERATIONS.
In Appendix F is shown a list of Sanitary Works and Alterations in
connection with buildings, premises and vessels in the Docks, &c., which have
been completed during the year, while in Appendix G will be found a list
of those works which were in hand at the end of the year.
Owing to the increase in building and drainage construction within the
Docks, this class of work has for some time past formed an important part of
the duties of your Inspectors. The number of inspections of this kind carried
out during the year will be found in Table A under " Shore Premises."
WATER BARGES.
The Water Barges in the Port have been kept under regular supervision,
and, as shown in Table I., the number at work at the present time is 23.
One was condemned, and one new barge put into commission.