RUMOURED OUTBREAK IN DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10635, 20 April 1900, Page 5

RUMOURED OUTBREAK IN DUNEDIN.

NO TRUTH IN THE STATEMENT. A rumour that caused considerable alarm in Ohristchurck was industriously circulated in the city yesterday morning,, to the effect that a case of plague had occurred in Dunedin, and as the day wore on the number was increased to three. As the Press Association agent was silent on a matter of such vital importance to the colony, we were convinced that there was not the slightest fonndation for the statement, which was evidently an invention of that society nuisanoe, the rumour-monger. However, to make assurance doubly sure, we telegraphed to Dunedin in the afternoon, and received the foliotting reply: — ' "Absolutely foundationless. No plague here."

(fbess association telegrams.) DUNEDIN, April 19. Reports appear to have been, circulated in the north that a case of plague had occurred in Dunedin. There is not a vestige of truth in the report. Telegrams were received yesterday from Timaru making inquiry, aiid to-day from Christchurch, as to an alleged caee in Dunedin. Evidently some person going north is working up a scare. Tli* Mayor thinks that Dunedin is tie most unlikely centre in the colony to be attacked.

The brig Fairy Rock, from Dover, Tasmania, and the" barcruentino Frank Gny, from Man-borough. Queensland, were ordered into* quarantine to have their cargo fumigated. These, witii the brigantine Rotumah, from Bundaberg, and the Tarawera and Waikare, made five vessels flying the yellow flag. The Waikare was admitted to pratique this evening, her time having expired. The passengers from the Waikare were released from quarantine to-day,, and landed this evening. Dr. Betchelor, who was a passenger, thinks quarantining an entire mistake, and says it should be put a,n end to.

Later. It has been decided to dispense -with the process of fumigating the sailing vessels which arrived yesterday and the day before from Queensland and Tasmania. WELLINGTON. April 19. The City Council sat for several hoars tonisht, and preventive measures against the introduction of the plage* were discussed. It was decided that within thirty davit from the publication of a notice which will shortly be inserted in. the newspapers, no fowls should be allowed to be kept within the city boundary, except in the case of dealers, aueetc., and then only in cratee for a period not- exceeding seven days. A few dayr- *go a well-known citizen called at the Central Police Station (says the Wellington "Post") and represented that shrimps caught in Sydney Harbour —where large numbers of fish, including (shrimps and prawns, died recently from tie effects of disinfectants that have been poured into the harbour from the city sewer? —were being sold in Wellington, and that steps sjwuld be taken t» "jwohibit the (tending of further shipments to this city until the plague has been stamped out of New South Wa'ee. The police at" once forwarded to the City Council a report embodying the ocmplaict, and Mr Doyle, Inspector of Nuisances, was instructed to make enquiries into th« matter. Mr Doyle has now r»-

CABLE NEWS.

ported to the town clerk that he finds that the majority of the shrimps come from Newcastle, and are shipped to Wellington via Sydney. He is unable to ascertain whether any that are offered for sale in Wellington were caught in Sydney harbour. Dr. Martin, in" his report to the Sanitary Committee, urged the relaxation of the quarantine regulations, and that they should apply only to plague-infected vessels; further, that passengers from infected ports should be compelled, under bond, to report themselves periodically for five days, that additional sub-inspectors should be appointed, that the quarters of the Asiatics should be inspected, that a plague hospital should be built, and proper steps taken to disinfect the clothing of any plague patient; also, that all properties should be connected with the main .sewers, and that boarding-houses should be compelled to conform with the sanitation by-laws.