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12
Your Worshipful Committee has for some years desired to amend the Orders
you made in 1916 under the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations, 1915, but had been
unable to do so because the Regulations did not provide for the Amendment of Orders
made thereunder. The issue of the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations, 1934,
enabled you to proceed to the making of a new Order. The form of the proposed new
Order, notice of which was duly given during November, 1935, is set out on page 39.
Only one objection was lodged, and this was subsequently withdrawn.
The Medway (Shellfish) Regulations, 1935, were issued by the Minister of Health
on 11th December, 1935. Part of the " prescribed area " is within the jurisdiction of
the Port of London Sanitary Authority, and the Regulations are therefore set out on
page 39 of this Report. A statement of the effect of these Regulations was published
in the " Sheerness Times," the " East Kent Messenger " and the " Kent Messenger,"
and copies were sent to all persons known to be interested in layings in the part of
your district affected.
Under the City of London (Various Powers) Act, 1933, you were empowered to
make Bye-laws for the better control of Houseboats lying in your district. Originally
two sets of Bye-laws were drafted, one set by the City Solicitor and your Medical
Officer relative to the sanitary requirements in all houseboats lying within the
Port Sanitary District and to the registration of such houseboats as are within your
district but outside that of the Port of London Authority, and another set by the
Port of London Authority relative to the registration of houseboats lying within the
area for which, under the Act, they are the Registration Authority. It was deemed
desirable to combine these two sets of Bye-laws, and this has occasioned considerable
delay. Agreement has now been reached between yourselves and the Port of London
Authority, and the draft has been submitted for the approval of the Ministry of
Health.
During July, August and September numerous complaints were received of the
pollution of the River by the sewage discharged from the Northern and Southern
Outfalls. With the coming of heavy rain in the Autumn the River was flushed with
fresh water from above Teddington, and no further complaints were received.
During the year all grades of your Staff carried out their duties in an entirely
satisfactory manner. Dr. J. A. Jones joined your Staff as a Boarding Medical Officer
in April, in the place of Dr. S. C. Parry, who had occupied the position temporarily
since the retirement of Dr. Kidd, and who left to study for the Diploma in Public
Health.
•
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 and of
the Port of London Authority, the Pilots and the Members of the Staffs of the Shipping
Companies and Merchants, whose assistance and courtesy are gratefully acknowledged.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CHARLES P. WHITE.