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maintain so far as possible a smoke free Port. To this end port nealth inspectors immediately
notify the master of any ship which starts to make smoke of such density as to be likely to contravene
the Regulations, so as to terminate the emission. In this connection one hundred and forty
seven verbal notifications were given. However, during the year it was found necessary to carry
out ninety one smoke observations and in sixty six cases there was a minor infringement of the
permitted periods. There were thirty-five inspections of plant and equipment with a further eight
revisits to ensure that defects had been rectified. Five notices were served on the masters of
foreign owned vessels and a copy of the notice was sent to the country's Consulate. The reasons
for these contraventions were fully investigated and in view of the explanations received, no legal
action was taken. Warning letters were, however, sent to each owner, Similar action was taken in
the case of the master and owner of a bucket dredger.
THE TRANSPORTATION OF REFUSE BY LIGHTERS
Routine visits to the refuse loading wharves and the regular inspection of all lighters engaged
in this trade was maintained during the year.
During the year, two of the refuse loading wharves owned by the Greater London Council
but situated within the Authority's district were closed. This left a total of five riverside wharves
and two enclosed docks still in operation at the close of the year.
The construction of the new refuse transfer station at Cringle Street, Battersea, has progressed
throughout the year. Completion of this station in the early part of next year will lead to
the closure of more of the riverside wharves.
Spillage of refuse into the river, although greatly diminished during the last few years,
still remains a problem. The policy of the Greater London Council to close the older riverside
wharves will mean that this source of pollution shall, in the near future, be virtually removed.
One of the lighterage companies, which was employed in this trade, ceased operations in the
first half of the year. There are now only two lighterage companies remaining in the trade.
No proceedings were instituted under the Authority's Byelaws during the year.
HOUSE BOATS - UPPER RIVER AREAS
There are a total of 138 houseboats moored in the Upper Reaches of the River between
London Bridge and Teddington Lock. This is an increase of five on the previous year.
The moorings at which these craft are lying were inspected from time to time during the year.
No infringements of the Authority's Byelaws relating to houseboats were noted at the time of
these inspections.
DANGEROUS DRUGS
During the year eleven certificates authorising the purchase of scheduled Dangerous Drugs
were issued under the Dangerous Drugs (No.2) Regulations, 1964, Regulation 13(2) of which is
as follows:—
(a) The master of a foreign ship which is in a port in Great Britain shall be authorised to
procure such quantity of drugs and preparations as may be certified by the medical officer of
health of the port health authority within whose jurisdiction the ship is or, in his absence,by
the assistant medical officer of health, to be necessary for the equipment of the ship until it
reaches its home port.
(b) A person who supplies a drug or preparation in accordance with a certificate given under
this paragraph shall retain the certificate and mark it with the date on which the drug or preparation
was supplied and keep it on his premises so as to be at all times available for inspection.
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