THE PLAGUE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17315, 29 November 1921, Page 7

THE PLAGUE.

SEVENTY-FIVE CASES IN QUEENSLAND. MANUFACTURE OF SEBUM. «Bv C»Me-Pwu AMoeiaiJon-CtmrnS'W-) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Aasocwtion.) (Received November 28th, 9.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, November 28To date, 75 cases of plnguo hare been reported from Queensland, 39 of which were fatalPlague serum is beiug manufactured by the Federal health authorities, bub it will be several weeks before a supply is available. BRISBANE, November 28. The Hon. W. McCormack, Home Secretary, stated that owing to the serious nature of the plague situation, drastic changes were contemplated, and efforts would be made to eradicate the disease. LOCAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST RATS The Sanitary Committee reported to the Ohriatehurch City Council last night that the Medical Officer of Health had written stating that the plague menace in the Dominion was very real, and insisting upon the Council instituting active measures w regard to rat destruction. Ho pointed out that particular attention should lie paid to all rubbish tips to see that nothing but indestructible rubbish as dumped thereon. Food and vegetable refuse must be dealt with in the destructor, or by individual householders, as the presence of that matter makes the tips suitable breeding grounds. Poison must be laid in those depositories, and a poisoning and trapping campaign carried out thoroughly within the city. He also suggested that the Council should offer a reward for individual rate. The committee advertised some weeks ago that it was prepared to pay the sum of 3d per bead for rats delivered at the city destructor, and up to the present 95 had been purchased. A stock of rat poison was also prooured, and could be purchased by citizens. Or. Sullivan suggested the oommittee should undertake a rat extermination campaign for thore would be a serioxis danger after March or April if the trouble was not stamped out immediately. Cr. W. H. Winsor said the committee were fully alive to the danger, and had taken action before anyone else in New Zealand. Everything possible was being done to destroy the rate, and systematic poisoning was in progress. Or. Sullivan moved that the Works Committee should be recommended to take su«h further action considered necessary to exterminate the rats. This was seconded by Cr, W. H. Winsor, and carried.