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(2.) The appended Table shows that the number of boats inspected during
the year 1903 was 1,139, the first time since the formation of this Authority
that the number has exceeded 1,000.
Of this number, 989, or 86.8 per cent., were found to be conforming with the
Acts and Regulations. Except in regard to the cases hereinafter mentioned,
no general complaint has to be made with regard to the condition of the boats
and their occupants.
(3.) On the remaining 150 boats were found 196 infringements of the Acts
and Regulations. 126 written cautions were given; and of these, 119 are
known to have been effective in remedying the defects complained of.
(4) Legal proceedings were recommended by your Medical Officer in three
cases, and on the advice of Mr. Solicitor summonses were issued in two, the
cases being as follows:—
Canal Boat "Violet," Registered Berkhampstead 322.
This boat was inspected on the 13th March last, when it was found that
the boat wat not lettered, marked or numbered as required by Section 3 of the
Canal Boats Act, 1877, and by the Canal Boats Regulations of the Local
Government Board, 2, 7.
An intimation was forwarded to the owner on the 16th March, calling his
attention to the infringement of the Act and Regulations, and requiring that
the lettering, marking and numbering of the boat should be carried out within
seven days. Of this no notice appears to have been taken, and as the boat
was again seen on the 28th April, and was still in the same state, a further
intimation was sent to the owner on the 1st May, followed by a letter of
inquiry on the 25th May. No reply was made to either of these communications.
The boat was again inspected on the 20th June, and it was found
nothing whatever had been done in the matter of complaint, and that the boat
was still found to be not lettered, marked or numbered.
On the 29th July, the owner of the canal boat "Violet" appeared at the
Thames Police Court in answer to a summons issued by instruction of your
Committee, for unlawfully using the said canal boat as a dwelling, and not
having the same lettered, marked and numbered, in contravention of the Canal
Boats Act. The case was supported by the Assistant Solicitor, and the
defendant pleaded guilty, being fined 1/. and 23s. costs.
Canal Boat " Prince Albert."
This is a case of an unregistered vessel, which was being unlawfully used as
a canal boat as defined by the Act and Regulations. The Canal Boat Act,
1877, Section 14, states that the expression "canal boat" means any vessel,
however propelled, which is used for the conveyance of goods along a canal