THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 62, 14 March 1900, Page 5

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

HEAVY MORTALITY AT NOUMEA. NOUMEA,.this day. During- last month there were .thirteen .cases of'plague, seven of ivvhich have proved, fatal. , ', The Tyser. steamers Indramayo and Indraghiri, which w'cre visited at. the Quarantine Station last evening, were granted pratique,' arid returned into the harbour during the night, berthing at the wharves this morning to discharge. Captain Harwood, of the Indraghiri, considers that the authorities' should supply fumigating materials for the ships before they .proceed to Motuihi, In Order that fats may foe lctllect' in the holds before the vessels arrive at the island. When the.steamers anchor off the island, niany of the rats swim ashore, and build their. nests about the Quarantine Nation, thus, defeating one of the aims of the quarantine. It would be a simple matter to fumigate the holds before the ships left, the harbour for Motuihi, and shipmasters would be ready to do so if the material were provided. . At the meeting held at the Muni» cipal Chambers yesterday, at- which Drs. Lewis and King, health ' officers, the Mayor (Mr D. Goldie), and the Chairman of the Harbour B/_ard (Mr J. H. Witheford) were, present, it was decided to publish a notice calling oh the public to assist in the destruction of vermin, arid intimating that the sanitary inspectors have been instructed to prosecute in cases where sanitary requirements are disregarded. * ■ . ' The City Council, which'is the local Board of- Health for the city, will jioltl a- special meeting to-morrow tb consider the question of prevention ol the introduction of plague. . Last evening the Mayor received, the following telegram from the Central Board of Health, Wellington:—There !is reason to believe that bubonic plague is disseminated by rats arid other vermin, and the Central Board of Health .suggests that local Boards of Health at' the principal seaports* fthould take steps to destroy swell vermin, and as.far as possible prevent their being landed from vessels. It-is important that the dead animals should be consumed by fire witliou. delay. The Government would be prepared to consider favourably applications for assistance from Boards to pay the cost of the work. —HUGH POLLEN. . ... (.: Mr A. P. Friend has given notice of the following motion for consideration at, the.meeting of the Parnell. Borough Copncil on Monday next: "That in view of the near approach .of the bubonic . plague a-. sufficient. number .of men be atonce _ engaged, to,clear; .within one week from date all street channels of weeds, grass, etc., all streets and Toads throughout the borough of all decaying vegetable matter, house and garden refuse, dead cats, rats, etc., now to be seen lying In the roadways in some of the bye-streets, and that all cesspools be kept filled with waiter , and disinfectants, and all sanitary precautions possible be taken to ensure the health of the community." CHRISTCHURCH, this day; At a meeting of the City Council held last night, it was decided to hold a conference of delegates from local bodies to take into consideration the j appointment of a medical officer of Miealth. . i