London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Port of London 1911
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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The barge was moored in close proximity to dwellings, and the inhabitants were
obliged to keep the windows closed.
The infringement was reported to your Worshipful Committee in September, 1911,
and the facts were duly placed in the hands of the City Solicitor for such action as he
might deem necessary.
It is most objectionable that, such cargoes should be discharged in the vicinity of
dwelling-houses, but no action can be taken so long as the offensive cargo is kept
properly and securely covered except while actually engaged in discharging the same,
and the barge containing such cargo is not allowed to remain within the district of this
Authority for a longer period than 48 hours.
The consignee has promised in future to discharge such cargoes either expeditiously
or at some other place. The locality will, however, be kept under careful observation.
TABLE XXIX.
BYE-LAWS.—OFFENSIVE CARGOES.
Nineteen cases of infringement of the above-mentioned Bye-laws were reported during the year. A written Notice was sent to the owner of the barge :—
| Date. | Name of Vessel. | Infringement, |
|---|---|---|
| 1911 Jan. 10-13 | Lighter " Jonan " | Permitted to remain within the district for a longer period than forty-eight hours while loaded with an offensive cargo, to wit, manure. Loaded with a cargo of stable manure totally uncovered. Loaded with a cargo of refuse totally uncovered. |
| July 6 | " Serapis " | |
| „ 19 | " Hose," and a lighter name unknown | |
| Aug. 17 and 18 | "Blue Bell" | Ditto. |
| 17,18 and 19 | "Saker" | Ditto. |
| „ 17,18 and 19 | " May " | Ditto. |
| „ 17 | " Phlox " | Ditto. |
| „ 17 | " Magnolia " | Ditto. |
| „ 17 | "Foxglove" | Loaded with a cargo of refuse partly uncovered, and loaded above the coamings. |
| „ 17,18 and 19 | "Jasmine" | Ditto. |
| 17,18 and 19 | "Fuchsia" | Ditto. |
| „ 17,18 and 19 | "Myrtle" | Ditto. |
| „ 17,18 and 19 | " Shem " | Ditto. |
| Sept. 4 | Lighter " Roger Leigh " | Laden with a cargo of offensive refuse, which was wholly uncovered. |
| „ 20 | Lighter " Coronation " | Ditto. |
| Nov. 13 | Lighter " Olive " | Laden with a cargo of refuse matter not properly and securely covered. |
| „ 13 | Lighter " May " | Ditto. |
| „ 13 - - | Lighter " Gloxinia " | Ditto, and loaded above the coamings. |
The majority of these offences occurred during the month of August, when there
was a "strike" of labour in the Port of London, and it was decided to take no
legal action.