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Thursday, 26th Aprils 1951.
The Delegates proceeded by Coach to the Royal Docks, first visiting
Wo. 6 Gold Store in the Royal Albert Dock and then proceeding to Swift's
Cutting Store in the Royal Victoria Dock where Mr. Coombe gave them a talk on
the importation and inspection of meat and canned foods, demonstrating his talk
with samples. The Delegates were extremely interested and at the request of a
number of them a copy of Mr. Coombe's notes on his talk, together with a paper he had
prepared on the inspection of canned foods, was circularised to each Delegate.
The party had luncheon in the Industrial Canteen on the Dock and afterwards
boarded the s.s. "PORT VICTOR" and the s.s. "SINGAPORE" (the latest P & 0.
passenger-cum-cargo vessel) where Mr. Tope and Mr. Aiken conducted them round
the ships on an inspection of crew and passenger accommodation.
Friday, 27th April, 1951.
The Delegates proceeded by Coach to the South Dock, Surrey Commercial
Dock where Mr. Gray conducted them over one of the modern rat-proof warehouses,
calling their attention to the various features of the warehouse which made
it such. While there, and quite incidentally, they saw a consignment of canned
South African fruit being made 'full and sound' (burst, blown and leaky tins).
From the Surrey Docks the party went to the London Dock -where, simply as a
"showpiece", Mr. Johnson arranged a visit to the Crescent Wine Vaults. Then
followed a visit to the still incomplete Canteen which the P.L.A. are erecting
at a cost of £70,000. Although not yet completed, this canteen shows a number
of novel features and when completed will undoubtedly be the finest of its kind
in London, if not in the whole of the United Kingdom.
After lunch in the Restaurant of Ibex House, the party proceeded by Coach
to No. 3 Berth, King George V.Dock where the Royal Mail Lines, through the good
offices of Captain Spridell, the Chief Marine Superintendent, had placed at our
disposal the s.s. "HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN" for a demonstration of H.C.N, fumigation
for the issue of an International Certificate.
The operation was in the hands of Mr. Potter of Messrs. Associated
Fumigators Ltd., and the party was shown the preparation of the ship, the
liberation of the gas (using water) and the subsequent testing of the spaces for
residual pockets of gas after clearance. In addition, Mr. Potter gave a
practical demonstration in a storeroom on the after end of the ship of the
various methods used by his firm in disinsectisation, e.g. Kerosene+ 5% D.D.T+
0.5% Pyrethrum solution emitted through a pressure spray and D.D.T. and
Gammexane generators. In addition each Delegate was given a copy of Mr. Mackie's
notes on "H.C.N Fumigation of Ships".
Saturday, 28th April, 1951.
The Delegates assembled in the Conference Room at 5, Church Passage.
All the Inspectorial Staff who had been engaged during the week were present
and Dr. Willoughby took the Chair.
Dr. Willoughby gave a brief resume of the week's activities and then invited
the Delegates to ask questions.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Willoughby expressed on behalf of the
Port Health Committee the pleasure it had been in meeting such distinguished
visitors and the hope that the visit had been both interesting and instructive.
Mr. Powells replied on behalf of the British Council and Dr. Tesch of
Holland on behalf of the Delegates.
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