SUSPICIONS OF SMALL-POX.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3830, 13 May 1913, Page 5

SUSPICIONS OF SMALL-POX.

HEALTH OFFICERS PURSUING

SICK NATIVES

tPRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM!

WHANGAREI, May 12

Two sick Natives brought into town on Saturday were considered by medical men wiio saw them to bo in a condition justifying a suspicion of sma 1 1-pox. They were despatched to the hospital for treatment in the isolation ward, but though they presented themselves at the Hospital entrance, they bolted when directed where to go. it is supposed that they have returned to their homes at Mangakaia. The Health Inspector lias gone in pursuit, and the Health Officer at Auckland is expected to arrive tomorrow.

DOCTORS AT VARIANCE

SMALL-POX Oil CHICKEN-ROCK?

TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] AUCKLAND, .May 12. Sensational rumors are ]>ervadmg Whangarei of an outbreak oi smallpox among the Maoris. It appears that on Saturday night a party oi five Maoris drove in from Parakao, Mangakahia, to Brown's boardinghouse, in Lower Cameron Street, wanting to see a doctor, two oi their number being sick. Dr. Walker was sent tor, and he pronounced the eases to bo chickenpox, advising Brown to isolate the two Maoris till Saturday, when ho would visit them again and see what symptoms ~deve'o>H'd. In the meantime another Maori woman had gone .for Dr. Ventry Smith, who, on arrival, immediately diagnosed the cases as small-pox, and ordered the Maoris to the Whangarei Hospital lor isolation. He alto informed the police and the Health. Officer. Mr. Shenton, at once fumigated the board-ing-house, assisted by Mr. C. McKinnon (soerotary of the Hospital Board). Dr- Ventry Smith telephoned to the matron of t-ho hospital to expect the Maoris. From what can be gathered a party of Maoris drove to the back of the'hospital, going into the kitchen and saying to the porter, ‘'Wo.have a sick Maori.”

The porter told them to drive round to the front of the isolation ward. Instead, of doing this the Maoris drove off at break-neck speed towards Mangakahin, reports of their speedy flight being to'd by others who passed them.

The Health Officer has gone out to bring them hack to tile Whangarei isolation ward, but it is anticipated that he will have .some difficulty in tracing themInterviewed this morning, Dr. Ventrv Smith stated that ho wits practically certain that tiie Maoris were suffering from small-pox, but Dr. Walker appeared to Ire as firmly convinced that tlio ease was one of Maori pock and an aggravated form of chicken--pock.