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48
These Inspectors visit canal boats wherever they are found in the course
of their daily work, and the results are set out in the Table appended.
(2) The appended Table shows that the number of boats inspected during
the year 1904 was 1,022.
Of this number, 905, or 88.55 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 117 boats there were found 146 infringements of the Acts and
Regulations. In 91 cases the owners were cautioned by formal notice in
writing, and in 89 cases the infringements complained of are certified to have
been removed
In two cases, boats have been inspected and the cabins found to be occupied
by husband and wife and another person of the female sex above the age of
12 years, and in one case a cabin was found to be occupied by a man and his
wife and a person of the male sex above the age of 14 years.
In only one case was a boat found to be carrying an offensive cargo without
the boat being provided with two bulkheads of substantial construction, as
required by the Canal Boats Regulations. The matter was brought to the
notice of the owners of the boat, who stated that the boat was not intended to
carry offensive cargoes, and that the cargo in question, namely, bones in an
offensive condition, had been taken in error.
(4) Legal proceedings were recommended by your Medical Officer in the
following cases :—
Canal boat "Nelly," registered Brierley Hill, No. 220. This boat was
inspected on September 5th, when three persons were found on board, viz., the
Master, his wife, and a female aged 19 years.
The Certificate stated that the after-cabin was registered for occupation by
three persons. The Master's wife stated that her husband slept in the hold
on the cargo, whilst the after-cabin was occupied only by herself and the girl
as a sleeping place.
The facts were laid before the City Solicitor, who was of opinion that the
evidence as to occupation of the cabin as a sleeping place by the Master, his
wife and a female above the age of 12 years wras not sufficient to obtain a
conviction.
The canal boat "Clyde," registered Wolverhampton, No. 741, was inspected
on the 31st August, when it was found that the after-cabin—which was
registered for occupation by three adults—was occupied by the Master, his
wife, and their niece aged 14 years.
There was no provision in the cabin for the separation of sexes.
The matter was brought to the notice of the owners, and the boat being
inspected at Tipton on the 4th September, it was certified that the cause of
complaint was remedied.