THE WAIKATO OUTBREAK.

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1913, Page 5

THE WAIKATO OUTBREAK.

TO MAYOR OF HAMILTON

WELLINGTON', Sept. 5.

In reply to a question from Mr Young in' the House on the smallpox situation in the Waikato, the Minister of Public Health read a letter he had received from Dr Douglas, of the Waikato Hospital, with reference to statements made by the Mayor of Hamilton. The writer stated: "With the exception of four convalescents in the hospital, the Waikato is clear. No fresh cases have been discovered for ten days or more, and the prospect is particularly bright. At the same time," writes Dr. Douglas, "the quarantine restrictions are not in any way being relaxed, and all needy cases for relief, as far as they are known, are being relieved. On account of the comments of the Mayor of Hamilton, I accompanied our inspector to Whatawhata to-day, and find that there are no grounds for complaint. There are no cases of smallpox there now, and there is no starvation." The letter continues: "The petition received by the Mayor was signed by some idle Maoris, who IQ-Thed when I tackled them on the subject of starvation, and they were the subject of ridicule .by the rest of the company. The whole matter was regarded by them as a joke. In all the settlements we find the chiefs only too anxious to assist us, as they are longing to have the restrictions .relaxed, and they are quite realising the seriousness of the question."