[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.1
have read your notice of this book in the Spectator of Jane 3rd, and as I have the charge of an extensive canal system between Birmingham and the Bristol Channel, and as the canal boats are constantly under my observation, you will perhaps allow me to make a few remarks upon the operation of the "Canal-boats Act of 1877."
There can be no doubt that such an Act as this was greatly needed, and much credit is due to Mr. Smith for the energy and perseverance displayed by him in getting the Act passed ; but a good thing may be pressed too far, and in his efforts for sub- sequent legislation I think he is doing this. The Act of 1877 did not come into operation until twelve months after it was passed. Mr. Smith in his zeal expected to see immediate results, but with such a population constantly on the move, and probably disliking the changes that were introduced, it was not likely that much effect would be observed in 1878 or 1879; but in the last two years a very different state of things has been brought about by the Act. It would be difficult to find, on any of the canals south of Birmingham, any boats coming under the opera- tion of the Act that are not registered.
The education of the children in these boats is admitted to be a matter of considerable difficulty. At the " Worcester Wharf, Birmingham," to which Mr. Smith has referred in his book, he would find that these boatmen, their wives and children, are not so utterly neglected and uncared for as he has depicted. There exists upon this wharf a Boatmen's Hall—a substantial and even handsome building—put up at the expense of Miss Ryland, a benevolent lady of Birmingham, for the free use of these people, containing a schoolroom for the children, reading- rooms for the men and their wives, and a place of worship. I enclose the last year's report, to show you that it is usefully and successfully carried on ; and this kind of good work is going on in many directions.
A day or two ago, I learnt from a trader working on the canals beyond Birmingham that it would be difficult to find between Derby, Barton, Coventry, &c., an unregistered boat among those that should be registered under the Act. There are plenty of open boats to be found on the canals that are not registered. They are not dwellings—neither women nor children go in them—are used chiefly for the conveyance of coal ; a couple of men go with them, there is a shelter on board where the men may sleep, and they have the means of cooking their victuals on board. In Mr. Smith's Bill of this year, now before Parliament, be is seeking to get these boats registered in the same way as those which are family dwellings. This will be a very unnecessary interference with boats which are on canals pretty much what coal-trucks are upon railways.
But many of the provisions of the Bill would seriously cripple the operations of canals, and some are of so arbitrary a char- acter that the Bill can never pass through Parliament in its present shape. If Mr. Smith be wise, he will allow the Act of 1877 quietly to work its way, and not press on legislation which is likely to undo the good which that Act is gradually ac- complishing.—I am, Sir, &c., W. B. CLEGRAM. Saul Lodge, near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, June 12th.
Previous page
