1885: The Canal Boats Act

From the Swindon Advertiser, 7th November 1885

John Pope of Bath, canal boatman, was summoned charged with using the "Emily Annie" within the district of the New Swindon Local Board, without having the same registered as required by the Canal Boats Act.

Mr. W. H. Kinneir appeared to prosecute and said the boat was the property of the Wilts and Berks Canal Lessees, who had since the issue of the summons had it properly registered, therefore he did not ask for more than a nominal penalty.

Mr Hodson, the manager of the canal, appeared for the defendant and pleaded guilty, saying the boat had only just come out of the dock at Bath, where the authorities refused to register boats. Formal evidence of the use of the boat having been given, the Bench inflicted a fine of 1s and costs of £1-16s-6d, promising to inflict the full penalty if any more of these cases came before them.