View report page

9
Twenty infringements of the Bye-laws relating to offensive cargoes were reported.
Twenty Intimation Notices were sent to the offenders, and legal proceedings were
taken in respect of 8 vessels, a conviction being obtained in each case.
Legal proceedings were also taken in respect of nuisance from smoke from
2 vessels, convictions being obtained.
The carrying out of the provisions of the Public Health (Imported Food)
Regulations, 1925, formed an important part of the work of the Port Sanitary Authority.
The control of imported mutton, on account of the prevalence of Caseous Lymphadenitis,
referred to in my last Report, was continued throughout the year, but the improvement
in the condition of consignments resulting from the institution of a system of
examination in the countries of origin made it possible, in June, to reduce the
percentage of carcases examined from 100 per cent. to 10 per cent. The Medical
Officers of Health of the City of London and certain Metropolitan Boroughs continued
to accept whole consignments for examination in cold stores in their districts.
Consignments for provincial destinations were only released under guarantee that they
would be held in cold store for examination by the Medical Officer of Health of the
district concerned, who was notified by me of the despatch of the consignment in
each case. Ten per cent. of every consignment for districts other than the City of
London and the Metropolitan Boroughs referred to above, was detained in Dock Store
for examination by your Inspectors. The importers have given every facility for
inspection, and have closely co-operated with your officers. It is satisfactory to be
able to report that the standard of inspection abroad is steadily improving; research
is being carried out into the cause of the disease and the manner in which sheep
become infected, and there is reason to believe that the precautions taken in the great
exporting countries will be so effective that it will be possible to reduce still further
the examinations here.
The inspection of imported ox-tongues from South America was continued during
the year, but those coming from Brazil were found to be so consistently free from
disease that they have been exempted from routine sampling. The percentage of
tongues from other sources which were found to be affected with Actinomycosis
was 0.9 per cent.
The total weight of Foodstuffs destroyed or disposed of for purposes other than
human consumption on account of disease or unsoundness during the year was
approximately 1,743 tons.
The Annual Report on the working of the Canal Boats Acts and Regulations is
appended.
I have pleasure in reporting that all grades of your Staff carried out their duties
in a highly satisfactory manner, and maintained cordial relations with all those with
whom their work brought them in contact during the year, and that, as in former
vears, the Officers of His Majesty's Customs, the Port of London Authority and the
Pilots have alwavs been ready and willing to co-operate in the health work of
the Port.
1 have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CHARLES F. WHITE.