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The sanitary inspection of vessels, &c., in the Port of London, set out in
Table III., is satisfactory.
The number of vessels from " foreign " ports inspected is somewhat less
than the average for preceding years, but, as previously mentioned, this is
accounted for by the diminished number of arrivals from such ports. This
diminution in number being due partly to slackness of trade, partly to
a large number of the sailing vessels formerly arriving in the Port of
London having been sold to foreign owners and replaced by steamers,
which carry about the same number of hands, but are able to carry nearly
three times as much cargo.
The attention given to "coastwise" and other vessels compares very
favourably with the average for the preceding five years.
Of the inspections made, it will be seen that 81 per cent. were of British
vessels, 4.89 per cent. of these were Swedish and Norwegian, 3.66 per cent.
were German, the Dutch coming next with 1.96 per cent.
Other nationalities were in proportion as shown in the Table.
In addition to vessels, 1,341 visits of inspection were made to shore
premises, that is to say, workplaces, factories, &c., situated in the area within
the gates of the Docks. (See Tables VII. and XVIII.)
This is a department of the work which is becoming very important
owing to the erection each year of many such places within the Dock areas,
and in order to enable your officers to more efficiently deal with any defective
sanitary conditions, an application to the Local Government Board for further
powers under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, has been ordered by
your Worshipful Committee.
The number of Water Barges employed in the Port remains as at the end
of the previous year, namely, 24. One barge has been condemned, and has
been replaced by a new one.
ALIENS ACT, 1905.
This Act, which received the Royal Assent during the last Session of
Parliament, will come into operation on January 1st, 1906.
I append herewith the full text of the Act, and the Rules and Orders made
in accordance therewith by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.