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No legal proceedings were taken in any of these cases, as it was considered that the
suspension of labour might be held to be a "reasonable excuse" for the non-removal of
the refuse within the terms of the bye-laws, moreover it was the lesser evil for the
refuse to be in barges on the Thames than to allow it to remain in the vicinity of
dwellinir-houses.
During the labour troubles previously referred to, a larsje number of " free
labourers "employed in the Port of London were housed on vessels and in various sheds
within the docks. The accommodation was carefully inspected, and representations
made to the responsible authorities as to the necessity of every case of illness being seen
by a medical man, so that no case of infectious disease should be undetected.
The health of the "free labourers" was exceedingly good, and no case even
suspicious of infectious disease occurred.
The President of the Local Government Board was asked two questions in the
House of Commons on this subject, and was able to give satisfactory answers.

The one case, in which Police Court proceedings were taken as above, was an
application for an order for the destruction of a quantity of tinned cherries, particulars of
which are given in the section relating to food inspection.
STEAM LAUNCHES.
With reference to the average cost of working the steam launches, the general result
is satisfactory. There has been little variation on the daily cost on any of the launches
except in the case of the "Denton," where the cost of repairs in the engine room during
the year was exceptionally heavy.
The Lady Truscott" has been at work through the year at the ordinary routine
of inspections, and it is satisfactory to note that the daily cost of running this launch is
not much greater than was the case with the " David Burnett" when on the Gravesend
station.
The "David Burnett" was transferred to the Greenwich station, where, with a junior
crew in charge, the cost of working is not so heavy.