29

A.—2

Passage-ways. (viii.) Every part of the vessel where horses, asses, or mules are carried shall be provided with one or more passage-ways leading from the hatchway or entrance to such part of the vessel, and giving frontal access to each box or stall containing a horse, ass, or mule. Each passage-way shall be of a minimum width of 1 ft. 6 in., and be kept free of obstruction. Food and Water. (ix.) Horses, asses, and mules carried on a vessel for a voyage which on an average takes more than six hours shall be provided while on board with a sufficient amount of suitable food and water, and proper accommodation shall be provided on board for the stowage of the food so that the same shall not be unduly exposed to the weather at sea. Securing of Horses, &c. (x.) All horses, asses, or mules while being carried in a box or stall shall as far as practicable be securely tied by the head. Attendance. (xi.) A vessel on which horses, asses, or mules are carried shall carry a sufficient number of qualified attendants to tend the animals properly. Returns as to Casualties. (xii.) The owner or charterer of a vessel on which horses, asses, or mules are carried shall keep a record of all such animals which have died or have been killed or seriously injured while on such vessel, and shall at the end of every month make a return to the Board showing whether any, and, if so, how many, animals have so died or been killed or injured on the vessel. Saving for Ferry-boats, &c. (xiii.) The foregoing provisions of this article shall not extend to the carriage of horses, asses, or mules on a vessel across an arm of the sea or over any ferry, or on a river, canal, or other inland water, but the fittings of the vessel shall be such as to protect as far as practicable the animals so carried from injury and unnecessary suffering, and as far as practicable provision shall be made in order to prevent slipping by strewing the deck with sand or other suitable substance. Approaches, Gangways, and other Apparatus. (xiv.) Approaches, gangways, passage-ways, cages, and other apparatus used for the loading or unloading or movement of horses, asses, or mules on or from a vessel shall be so constructed that injury or unnecessary suffering shall not be caused to the animals. Overcrowding. (xv.) A vessel shall not be overcrowded in any part or pen so as to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to the horses, asses, or mules thereon. Injured Horses, tfee. (xvi.) If any horse, ass, or mule on a vessel has a limb broken, or is otherwise seriously injured so as to be incapable of being disembarked without cruelty, the master of the vessel may, and shall if so required by the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, forthwith cause that animal to be slaughtered. The person in charge of the animal shall forthwith report the injury to the master of the vessel. Approved Killing Instruments. (xvii.) Every vessel on which a horse, ass, or mule is carried shall carry a proper killing instrument, to be approved by the Board for that purpose, and it shall be the duty of the owner and master of every such vessel to see that the vessel is provided with such an instrument, and the master, if so required by an Inspector of the Board or of the local authority, shall produce the instrument for his inspection. Water at Shipping and Unshipping Places. 14. At every place where horses, asses, or mules are put on board of or landed from vessels provision shall be made, to the satisfaction of the Board, for a supply of water for the animals ; and water shall be supplied there gratuitously to any animal on request of any person having charge of the animal. Provision to be made at Unshipping Places. 15. At every place where horses, asses, or mules are landed from vessels provision shall be made, to the satisfaction of the Board, for the speedy and convenient landing of the animals, and for a supply of food for them ; and food shall be supplied there by the occupier of the landing-place to any horse, ass, or mule on request of any person having charge of the animal, at such price as the Board approve. CHAPTER 111. CARRIAGE BY RAILWAY. Carriage by Railway of Unfit Horses, &c. 16. No horse, ass, or mule shall be permitted by the owner thereof, or his agent, or any person in charge thereof, to be carried by railway if, owing to infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue, or any other cause, it cannot be carried without unnecessary suffering during the intended transit by railway.