FIGHTING THE PLAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1097, 8 April 1911, Page 6

FIGHTING THE PLAGUE.

POSITION AT AUCKLAND.

"COMIC OPERA" AND "SCREAMING FARCE." CAMPAIGN AGAINST RATS. (By Tdlenrdph.—Special Correspondent.! ■ Auckland, April 7. Tho outbreak of plague causcd an earnest discussion at last night's meeting of tho City Council. In a lengthy letter 011 tho subjcct Dr. 11. H. Makgill, District Health Officer, said that sincc there had been no plague in Sydney this year the fact must bo faced that the disease was an epidemic in Auckland. That condition necessitated a very strenuous effort to remove all sources of infection, and that being tho principal object to bo aimed at, measures must bo taken to rid the city of tho reproach under which it was sutt'ering, and what had been done in Sydney by systematic effort could be done 111 Auckland. Dr. Makgill recommended a vigorous policy of cleansing the city. Tho poisoning of rats, which was being dono systematically -in the dangerous area, should be extended to other parts of tho city, special attention being directed to placcs where food stuffs were stored, to stables, and to butchers' shops. Increased' vigilance was desirable in regard to refuse removal, and much should be dono with the object of excluding rats from dwellings, 'effective preventives being tho repairing of yards, blocking holes with tar, asphalt, or glass, and covering ventilators and other apertures with netting. The council must also consider the advisability of framing by-laws requiring that buildings should be ratproof. There Was no need for panic, as the disease was never likely to become widespread, but tho reforms and the staff to carry them out must be a permanent feature of the council's duties. . 'Recommendations as to the course to bo followed by the council in preventing the spread of plague were submitted by the city engineer (Mr. AY. E. Bush) in a report prepared in consultation with tho chief sanitary inspector (Mr. C. Hayncs), and tho District Health Officer. The officers proposed that the former practico of appointing temporary inspectors should ho abandoned and that a. regular staff of four additional inspectors should be appointed. The Mayor (Mr. L. J. Bagnall) said it was quite clear that energetic action must bo taken by tho council. Its previous efforts had been described by some members of tho Harbour Board as comic opera, but in bis opinion the appointment of a staff of 100 men as had been suggested at that meeting, would be a screaming farce. He admitted that in reducing its stall of sanitary inspectors the council was to be blamed, for the House-to-house • inspection which had been abandoned had been of great value in tho protection of tho welfare. He suggested that tho council should leave the matter in the hands of tho Mayor to act with the chief sanitary inspector, .tho officers of the Harbour Board, and tlio Health Olhc'er to, take any steps that .might bo considered necessary. Tho new council might consider the advisability of increasing tho permanent'staff of inspectors. Tho motion was carried unanimously.

Tho Auckland Harbour Board authorities havo put on a special sanitary corps of eight men to carry out a crusade against rats on tho board's property. The Traffic Inspector reports that after further .investigation lie is satisfied that tho wliarves have never been so freo of rats. As the result of the first night's work by the recentlyappointed sanitary corps, only IS or io ■rats were caught. On the ferro concrete wharves there is no sign of the existence of rats, and it is only about the old buildings near Hobson Street Wharf that the men find much work to do. It is asserted by tho Traffic Inspector that tho rats are to bo found far more numerously on the city side than' 011 the wharves. So far as the city is concerned, a specially increased staff of inspectors has been appointed, and is commencing an active sanitary campaign under the Chitef Sanitary Inspector, in conjunction with the District Health Officers. In all cases where any reluctance is shown by owners of insanitary premises to. carry out improvements required of thenii legal action is to be taken.

NURSE CARROLL. HER CONDITION VERY CRITICAL. (By TelcEraph—Press 'Association.! Auckland, April 7. Nurse Carroll, 0110 of the first nurses to volunteer for service when the present plague outbreak occurred' threo weeks ago, and who has. herself fallen a victim, rallied somewhat to-day, and on inquiry at tho hospital this evening it was ascertained tliat though her condition was still regarded' as very critical, there, was some slight improvement. Nurse Carroll has not been long in Auckland, and comes-from Queensland, her relations residing at Rockhampton.