RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10638, 24 April 1900, Page 5

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR.

This morning the Mayor received the following communication from the Governor: — "The Governor regrets to hear that there is an undoubted case of an infected rat. He desires to point out that those cases have occurred ia other colonies without any deTelopment of plague among the inhabitants, and though extremely serious, it is to be hoped the united efforts of your Worship and the people of Auckland] may prove effective. He desires to point out that the first means of precaution, would be the wholesale destruction of rats. He recommends a day —say Tuesday next—being appointed, all public bodies and inhabitants individually and collectively of the city and suburbs laying down that day poison in large quantities. As there will be some risk if this course is adopted, he suggests that public warning should be given, to people to "beware of poisoning. 1 ' The Governor congratulates the Mayor and Corporation oven the energetic measures they are taking for the clearuiness of the city, and would urge great perseverance and promptitude in, completing this operation. He considers every day saved of the utmost importanceL" (feess association- telegbams.) WELLINGTON, April 23. Mr Gilruth and Dr. Mason suggest that the civic authorities ought to supply gratis a mixture of arsenic, pollard, and oil of aniseed, and that one day be set apart for universal poisoning at the earliest opportunity. Mr Ward has replied ,expressing a hope that, with the active co-operation of the civic and harbour authorities, the disease may be confined to the rodents. The Government decline to remove the quarantine restrictions imposed on vessels from Tasmania. Five offenders were fined in sums of from £1 to £3 for insanitary yards or defective drains. In reply to further pressure to give a site at the quarantine station for a plague hospital, the Government refused on the ground that if an jniected vessel arrives, the passengers will have to be turned loose on the island. It is now suggested that Ward Island, towards the entrance of the harbour, might be used. It is a small, bare, waterless rock. The commission issued to Dr. Mason and Mr Gilruth was gazetted to-night. An indignation meeting was held tonight to protest against the action of the City Council in. prohibiting the keeping of poultry within the city. The new bylaw was strongly condemned, and it was asserted that tho present' regulations were quite sufficient. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Council. I& was suggested that if further alteration were needed, licenses might be issued with conditions .as to necessary inspection rigid enough to prevent any fear of nuisance being caused.

DUNEDIN, April 23. The Rotorua from Bundaberg, Frank Guy from Maryborough, and Fairy Reck front Tasmania, (having come alongside the wharves it& Dunedin without having been •fumigated, the work was commenced today by the Customs authorities, by order [of the Colonial Secretary. The Fairy Rock [ and Frank Guy !bave hath discharged a little cargo, but as the vessels are loaded with timber and scrap iron, they are not I likely to harbour' many raits.