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(2) The total number of boats inspected during the year was 1,502.
This number is a substantial increase on the number inspected in any
previous year in the Port of London since the Acts came into force, and may
possibly be accounted for by a larger number of canal boats bringing goods
into the Port of London, in consequence of improved trade conditions
especially connected with an increase in exports and imports.
Of the total number, 1,377 were found to conform to the Acts and
Regulations.
The total number ot infringements found was 164. A written notice was
sent to the owner in each case, to which is attached a form which is to be
returned when the infringement no longer exists, with a statement to that
effect signed by an Inspector of Canal Boats.
The total number of cautions given was 113. The difference in these
numbers is accounted for by the fact that one notice, in many instances,
covers several infringements.
One hundred and seven of these Notices have been returned showing that
the requirements of the Acts and Regulations have been complied with,
leaving six only outstanding at the end of the year 1906.
The various infringements are set out in the appended Table, and it will be
noted that the largest number is in respect of structural defects and want of
cleanliness respectively.
These numbers compare favourably with those of previous years, and
therefore indicate that inspection with regard to these particulars had been
carefully carried out.
The infringements next in order of importance in regard to numbers refer
to the absence of certificates of registration and improper or inadequate
lettering, marking and numbering of the boats.
The frequency of this form of infringement is merely evidence of the
carelessness of owners in regard to the provisions of the Acts, more especially
when boats change owners.
The number of boats found to be unregistered within the meaning of the
Acts was ten. This number is less than that in any previous year.
In these cases steps are always taken either to place the matter in the hands
of the Registration Authority to which the boat belongs, or to register the boat
with this Authority.
Five boats have been registered by this Authority during the year, two of
which were new registrations.