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SECTION XVI
MISCELLANEOUS
Arrangements for the burial on shore of persons who have died on board ship from infectious
disease.
The body of any person dying on board ship, or in Denton Hospital, from infectious disease
would normally be removed from the ship or Denton Hospital for burial by a Private Undertaker
acting on the instructions of the shipping company or the next-of-kin, the local police being kept
informed.
In the event of the death being one of smallpox, special instructions as to precautions to be
taken would be given to the undertaker by the Port Health Authority.
CLEAN AIR ACT, 1956
THE DARK SMOKE (PERMITTED PERIODS) (VESSELS) REGULATIONS 1958
The steady improvement noted in the years following the introduction of the Regulations has
continued over the last year. Although the annual introduction of new diesel propelled tonnage,
together with the disappearance of the older vessel of a type most likely to present problems, is
a continuing factor, one must not lose sight of the now widespread awareness of shipping companies
and ships' personnel of the necessity to control smoke emissions, which in part can be
attributed to the many informal visits made by Inspectors to vessels where offences could occur.
On only one occasion during the year was it found necessary to institute legal proceedings. This
was in relation to a passenger paddle steamer which emitted, over a period of two days, Black and
Dark smoke far in excess of the permitted periods prescribed by the Regulations. The Owners
were fined £100 on each of the two summonses, together with costs.
CANAL BOATS
There has been no change during the year in the legislation relating to canal boats.
The number and frequency of canal boats visiting Regents Canal Dock varies considerably
from year to year and is dependent on the economic movement of suitable goods.
Twenty four canal boats were inspected during the year. Twenty one boats were found to be
clean and of a satisfactory standard. Two boats were found to have defective flues to their stores
and one boat was found to have defective and leaking sides to the cabin. Letters were sent to
the owners requiring the repair of the defects.
LOADING AND TRANSPORT OF REFUSE BY LIGHTERS
Routine visits to loading wharves and regular inspections of the lighters engaged in this
trade have been maintained during the year.
There has been no change in the number of wharves and docks used for the loading of refuse.
One of the wharves lies outside the District but the laden refuse lighters pass through the District.
Spillage of refuse has, as in previous years, been a problem. Improvements which the Greater
London Council intend carrying out at some of the wharves, will result in the refuse being loaded
into lighters by mechanical means only. This should greatly reduce the amount of spillage.
No prosecutions were instituted underthe Authority's Byelaws during the year. Minor infringer
ments were dealt with immediately and directly by personal representation.
HOUSEBOATS
Benfleet and Canvey Island
The houseboat moorings at Benfleet Creek West were further restricted during 1967 due to the
encroachment of the adjacent refuse tip. Some houseboats were forced by circumstances, to shift
moorings eastwards to already conjested moorings. Representations were made to the Benfleet
Urban District Council who subsequently refused consents to moor in sixteen cases. Notices were
served on the owners of nine of the houseboats to remove them within one year, and on the owners
of the other seven houseboats to remove them within two years.
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