be re-opened when a death in the same family occurs. But whenever any such subsequent interment is necessary before the fixed period for decomposition has expired, a layer of earth a foot thick at least shall be left undisturbed above the coffin last placed in such family grave.

Re-opening of Graves.

The period necessary for the complete decay of bodies must always vary according to the nature of the soil, the quality and thickness of the wood of the coffin, the depth of the grave, and the age of the body. The bodies of adults (except the large bones) decay in ordinary soil in a period of ten or twelve years, and those of children in about half that time.

The Home Office Regulations permit graves to be re-opened fourteen years after the burial of a person above twelve, and eight years after the burial of a child below twelve years of age.

NOTE.-The essential difference between a vault and a grave is that the former is constructed with a lining or wall of brickwork or stonework or otherwise, whereas the latter is only excavated.

Definitions.

C.-1. Canal Boats Act, 1877.

Canal includes any river, inland navigation, lake, or water being within the body of a county, whether it is or not within the ebb and flow of the tide.

Canal boat means any vessel, however propelled, which is used for the conveyance of goods along a canal, and

which is not a ship duly registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, and the Acts amending the same.

Owner includes a person who, though only the hirer of a canal boat, appoints the master or other persons working such boat.

A canal boat shall not be used as a dwelling unless it has been registered in accordance with this Act. It may be registered as a dwelling for such number of persons of the specified age and sex as may be allowed by this Act, and only such persons. And on contravention of this section, the master, and also the owner (if in fault), shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty shillings for each offence.

The L. G. B. shall make regulations, and may revoke and vary such regulations:

1. For the registration of canal boats, including certificates of registration, and fees therefor.

2. For the lettering, marking, and numbering of such boats.

3. For fixing the number, age, and sex of the persons allowed to dwell in such boat, having regard to the cubic space, ventilation, provision for the separation of sexes, general healthiness, and convenience of accommodation of such boat.

4. For promoting cleanliness in, and providing for the habitable condition of, canal boats.

5. For preventing the spread of infectious disease by canal boats.

Upon registry, the registration authority shall give to the owner two certificates of registry identifying the owner of the boat, stating the place to which the boat belongs, the number, age, and sex of persons allowed to dwell in

the boat, and the master shall have the care of one of such certificates.

NOTE. The lettering, marking, and numbering must be done in a conspicuous manner, and shall include the word "registered" and the name of the place to which the boat is registered as belonging-thus: "No. 99, London. Registered."

Where S. A. is informed of presence of infectious disease on such boat it possesses all powers for preventing the said disorder from spreading as are conferred by "the Act," and they may, if need be, detain the boat; but such boat shall not be detained a longer time than is necessary for cleansing and disinfecting the same.

NOTE.-Any person duly authorized may enter boat for the purpose of inspection, and if such person is obstructed in the performance of his duty, the person so obstructing shall be liable to a fine not exceeding forty shillings.

2. Canal Boats Regulations dated March 20th, 1878, made by the L. G. B.

The following conditions shall be complied with before a canal boat is registered; that is to say

(a) The boat shall contain a cabin or cabins, clean, in

good repair, and so constructed as to be weatherproof, dry and clean.

(b) The interior of any after-cabin intended to be used as a dwelling shall contain not less than 180 cubic feet of free air space, and of any fore-cabin, if intended to be so used, eighty cubic feet of free air space.

(c) Every cabin shall be provided with sufficient means

for the removal of foul, and the admission of fresh, air, exclusive of the door or doors or any opening therein.

(d) Every cabin, if to be used as a dwelling, shall be so constructed as to provide adequate and convenient sleeping accommodation.

(e) If boat be a "narrow" boat, i.e., one measuring less than 7 ft. 6 in. in the beam, cabin shall be constructed so that there shall be no locker or cupboard obstructing the free passage from the door to the bulkhead, and no shut-up cupboard above the cross-bed on more than one side of the cabin. (f) One cabin at the least shall be furnished with a suitable stove and chimney in a safe and convenient situation.

(g) The boat shall be properly furnished with lockers, cupboards, and shelves of suitable construction and adequate capacity.

(h) The boat, if intended to be ordinarily used for the conveyance of any foul or offensive cargo, shall contain between the space to be occupied by such cargo and the interior of any cabin intended to be used as a dwelling two bulkheads of substantial construction, which shall be separated by a space not less in any part than four inches, and open throughout to the external air, and furnished with a pump for the removal of any liquid from such space. (i) The boat shall be furnished with a suitable cask, vessel, or receptacle of sufficient capacity for the storage of not less than three gallons of water for drinking.

P.

H

D.-Cleansing of Persons Act, 1897.

On and after the passing of this Act, any L. A. shall have power, when in their discretion they shall see fit, to permit any person who shall apply to the said authority, on the ground that he is infested with vermin, to have the use, free of charge, of the apparatus (if any) which the authority possess for cleansing the person and his clothing from vermin. The use of such apparatus shall not be considered to be parochial relief or charitable allowance to the person using the same, or to the parent of such person, and no such person or parent shall by reason thereof be deprived of any right or privilege, or be subject to any disqualification or disability.

L. A.'s may expend any reasonable sum on buildings, appliances, and attendants that may be required for the carrying out of this Act, and any expenses for these purposes may be defrayed out of any rate or fund applicable by the authority for general sanitary purposes, or for the relief of the poor.

E.-1. Cremation Act, 1902.

No crematorium shall be constructed nearer to any dwelling-house than two hundred yards, except with the consent of the owner in writing, lessee and occupier of such house, nor within fifty yards of any public highway, nor in the consecrated part of the burial ground of any authority.

NOTE.-The powers of any L. A. to provide and main