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12
The draft of the proposed Public Health (Imported Food) Amendment Regulations
was issued during the year, and your Worshipful Committee made certain
representations to the Minister of Health, which are referred to in another part of
this Report.
The examination of sardines for contamination by lead was continued, and
during the last quarter of the year, when the new pack began to arrive, a marked
improvement was observed, showing that the packers are taking steps to prevent
contamination. Between 1st January and 30th September, 110 tins from 39 different
consignments of sardines were analysed. As a result the re-exportation of 7 consignments
was ordered, and in 8 cases it was necessary to advise the Importer that
considerable improvement would be expected in future shipments. Between
1st October and 31st December, 26 tins from 12 consignments were analysed. In no
instance was it necessary to order re-exportation, and in only 1 case was a warning
letter required.
Other points of interest in relation to the inspection of imported food are dealt
with in the appropriate sections of this Report. In no case were legal proceedings
taken, as merchants voluntarily surrendered everything found to be unsound or
unfit for human consumption, and there was no instance of any deliberate attempt
to import food in contravention of any of the Public Health Regulations.
During the Summer your Officers received numerous verbal complaints as to the
condition of the water of the Thames, and a few written complaints were sent to
your Medical Officer. These were referred to the Port of London Authority, who are
the Conservators of the tidal portion of the Thames. The main source of pollution
of the River is the enormous volume of only partially treated sewage discharged from
the outfalls at Barking Creek and Crossness. When the flow of river water over
Teddington Weir is comparatively small the sewage-polluted water from Half Way
Reach and Barking Creek is carried up-stream on the flood tide in dangerous proximity
to the great commercial and even residential districts of London. On the ebb tide
the polluted water is not carried clear away to sea, and so it oscillates backward and
forward, the volume of fresh water coming over Teddington Weir determining how
far it is carried towards London and how long it remains in that vicinity.
If, as appears probable, both the volume of sewage discharged into Barking and
Half Way Reaches by the London County Council and the volume of water taken
from above Teddington by the Metropolitan Water Board increase, the pollution
of the Thames Estuary must become more and more serious. If, in addition, deficiency
of rainfall continues or recurs, there will be grave danger of the Thames becoming
definitely offensive in its course through London.
During the year all grades of your Staff carried out their duties in a highly satisfactory
manner. In this connection I should like to make special mention of your
Principal Clerk, Mr. E. A. Sorrell, who on the 29th October completed 40 years' service
with the Port of London Sanitary Authority, and who during the last 10 years has
been very largely responsible for the organisation of the clerical work of the Department.
During this period Mr. Sorrell has brought the work of the Central Office to
a high pitch of efficiency, and has at the same time won the esteem and affection of
the entire Staff.
Dr. P. B. P. Mellows was appointed a Boarding Medical Officer to fill the position
which had been temporarily occupied by Dr. E. Kean, and Mr. T. L. Mackie and
Mr. L. F. J. McDermott were appointed additional Sanitary Inspectors.
The health work of so large a Port could not be carried out by a comparatively
small Staff without the co-operation of the Officers of His Majesty's Customs, the Port
of London Authority, the Pilots and the Members of the Staffs of the Shipping
Companies and Merchants, whose assistance and courtesy is gratefully acknowledged.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CHARLES F. WHITE.