SMALLPOX ON THE ORIENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12440, 25 August 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

SMALLPOX ON THE ORIENT.

ARRIVAL OF THE MONTBOSE.

Tho troopship Orient, with the North Island section of ■ her consignment of troopers, arrived at Wellington on August 8, having previously called at Port Chalmers and •Lyfcteltoii to land men at these ports. The Orient brought back to the colony 1102 men,' including members of tho Sixth, Seventh, -Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Contingents, whiie ]20 Australians were landed at Melbourne. Major Abbott was in command. Quite a sensation was caused shortly after her arrival at Wellington by tho report that a case of smallpox had been discovered on hoard, the patient being Sargt. Callaway. The report was subsequently confirmed after Dr Mason .(chief health officer) had visited the ship, and no troopers were allowed to disembark. Strict quarantine regulations were at once put in force, and a quarantine camp established at Somos Island.' Tlie Orient landed some 575 men in the South Island, and in receipt of intelligence from the Health Department the local health officers at Duncdin and Christflhurch issued instructions that all troopers concerned to report themselves and go into quarantine camps, those at Christchurch being located at Bottle Lake, and a camp at Duncdin being formed at Tahunsi Park. Four or five days later the smallpox patient Callaway was reported to have improved greatly, and was removed from the Orient to Mahanga Bay, where suitable accommodation had been secured a mile from any 'dwelling. On August- 34 the majority of Orient. troopers in quarantine at Somes Island were released and allowe* to go to their homes. Dr Bakewcll, who returned with thi! Ninth Contingent, has expressed the opinion that Callaway liaa not smallpox, the present case contradicting his own experience of the disease, which ho eoneiders more likely to be chicken-pox. The Orient having likewise been the subject of complaints from some of those who returned in her, and in view of the above circumstances, Sir Joseph Ward (Acting-Pre-mier) ' decided that the complaints should be inquired into by the same commission as had been appointed to investigate the Britannia's ease. In Duncdin on receipt of the news as to smallpox in Wellington instructions were at once issued by Dr Ogston, local health officer, that all returned troopers by the Orient, landing at Port Chalmers, were to report themselves at once at Tnhuna Park, where a quarantine camp had been propared. By the Monday following the Orient's arrival over 150 men were in quarters at the camp, there being another 20 in hospital (chiefly measles patients) at v Quarantine Island. The total number of men to report themselves at Tahuna Park was-277, all of whom were duly vaccinated. The camp was under the immediate charge of Dγ Falconer (who returned from South Africa with the troopers) and Captain Nicholson. There was no illness in the camp few minor complaints. A number of the citizens came forward with donations of those things necessary to make the men comfortable and keep them cheerful. The men were in camp for a week in all, Dr Ogston, on receipt of instructions from the Health Department, thon giving orders that the camp should be broken up and the men allowed to proceed home. Three days later the 20 men at Quarantine Island wore eet al liberty, having spent there the regulation fortnight. Thero was noi -i-.ioli difficulty in collecting the men to be quarantined, the assistance of tho police and tho prospect of a heavy penalty for disobedience having the desired effect. At Christchuroh some 185 officers and men reported themselves at tho quarantine camp, being vaccinated by Dr Symo, local health officer. Considerable trouble, seems to have been incurred in collecting and keeping tho men isolated, who have nov ieen liberated as elsewhere. TWO DEATHS REPORTED. AUCKLAND, August 19. The troopship Montroso moored in tho gulf list night, and ontorod , port this morning. Tho vessel was flying a signal that there was eioknoss on board. i At about 1 o'clock this morning Dr Sherman, port health officer, accompanied by Dγ Makgill, district, health officer, went off to inspect the troopship Montrose, a rigid inspection of all being determined on. No one but the doctors were permitted to board the vessel. Thoro was an outbreak of measles and scarlatina, and about 50 wore, suffering from one or other of those complaints o. r from pneumonia. All, with

tho exception of ono case, wove among I troopers, ono of the crew having been attacked by measles. Tho health officers decided that die invalids would have to be landed in quarantine, and that before any troopers could land tho vessel and their kits would have to undergo fumigation. Deep disappointment was expressed by scores of relatives of the troopers, who had congregated on the wharf. The vessel proceeded down to Motuihi about midday, 50 bods having in t!>o meanwhile been prepared for the reception of the invalid trooper*. Those will be housed in one of tho buildings on the island, and will have the best of attention. The major portion of the Montroso passengers belong to tho Tenth Contingent, but there are abo details from others. Tho following is a list of tho Montrose troopers most seriously ill, whose condition made it necessary that they should be taken to the Auckland" Hospital install* of being left at Mohihi :— 929l. C R. Jamas;' 9446, A. Smiley; 8633, K. Graham (Auckland section); 5694, Shclloek; 9005, .7. Plate (Auekland section); 8795, G. S, Eoattio (Auckland section): 9305, C. Manson (Lyttolton); 9609, Gaffney; 8029, D. Jackson;. 8932, Corporal T. ,T. Coupar (Auckland section); 9302, J. T. Meredith; 3923, Blyde; 8752, Stafford; 3644, Petherick; 8637, Doyle. All those are suffering from pneumonia, except Manson, who has doveloped scarlet fever following on pneumonia, and, with the exception of Meredith, who has oxpressed h wish to be taken to his home in the soulh, will find accommodation in the Auckland Hospital. The doctors F.tate that there is uo immediate probability of any deaths occurring, but the condition of A. Graham, Beattie, and Manson i 3 considered rather critical. In addition to those mentioned above, four, whose cases are not so serious, have been left on the ship through ono reason or another, and will also be taken to (he hospital to-morrow—viz., Wilkinson. Harknesi, Kerr, and Hawkejworth. In addition to these there arc 49 sick and convalescent men left on Mohihi, and seven go to their homes. Thn s.s. Montro?e had a total of 674- men on board. Ansnist 20. The Montrose troopers at Motuihi ore in very comfortable quarters in a large building with beds on each side of one long room. There is ample provision for warmth. Outside there are one or two bays always sheltered. The discipline on the Montrose was splendid. The ship is beautifully clean, and the officers are well pleased with the behaviour v of the men. Of the troopers in hospital only four are seriously ill. One of these is Meredith (of Christehuvch), who goes on . with the Montrosft. The troopers seriously ill in hospital are Privates Graham, Manson, Shellock (Eighth Contingent and Reattie. Corporal Manson is convalescent at Motuihi. It now appears that Meredith is well on the way to recovery. Some further particulars regarding the two men of the Montrose who died at sea show that I'tirrier Quarter-master-sergeant A'Court (of Christchurch) was received into hospital on the 9th, suffering from pleuropneumonia and weak heart. On Wednesday evening last at 11 o'clock the doctor and ohaplnin visited him, and ho spoke cheerfully on the prospect of reaching his home. Ho suddenlygot worw, however, and tho doctor again sa:? him. but ho died of collapse at 7 o'clock. He was buried at sea with military honours, . Chaplain-captain Luxford conducting tho service. The sergeant had Moved himself expert in his business, and during .the voyage ! out on the s.s. Norfolk, as well as in camp, had rendered valuable rervice-to the regi-ir.c-nt. He was popular among his comrades, and was a non.-com. on whom tho staff could Tely to do his work efficiently. Trooper Rudolph Manning, whose parents reside at Pukekohe. Auckland, was only 21 years of Ho died on Thursday evening last.of pneumonia and scarlet favor, and was buried at sea with military honours on Friday morning, the captiin-chaplain o(*a.in conducting the service. He- was a youth of buoyant spirits and cheerful manners, and i: when in Newcastle Hospital was a great favourite with tho attendants and visitors. 1 The troopship Montrose gave moro than I ample accommodation for the complement of 1050 officers and men, tho number on tho ■ roll when she left Durban; and an inspection made last ovening showed that cvory--1 thing was in splendid order, well ventilated i throughout, and with plenty of space for I fte slinging of hammocks and complete ,-ir- : rangements for messing troopers.' The imi predion gathered from the inspection wa3 i confirmed by the- men themselves, who exl pressed satisfaction with both the accomino-

I elation and tho food, while on the other | hand tlie officers commanding said the conduct and discipline of the troops throughout were most creditable. So well, indeed, do the troops appear to have, behaved thcintolves throughout that the military authorities at Nalal expressed their satisfaction to Major Andrews,, while on the arrival at Melbourne the troops were allowed to land and spend 24 hours in the capital of Victoria, the Federal Commandunt (General Button) having arranged with the Mayor of the city for leave. The men showed their appreciation by conducting themselves admirably, and not a single complaint was re- ' eftived eracerning their behaviour. I Football