ARRIVAL OF THE MAIL STEAMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 3 (Supplement)

ARRIVAL OF THE MAIL STEAMER.

SMALL-POX ON BOARD.

Shortly before eleven a.m. on Friday, 3rd February, the signal of the mail steamer was hoisted on the flagstaff at Mount Victoria, and shortly afterwards was followed by the signal for the Health Officer. By one o'clock the steamer had rounded the North Head, and anchored just below the fumigating hulk. The Customs launch was goo in readiness and proceeded to the steamer, taking Dr. Lewis (the Health Officer), the Union Company's agents and the Press representatives. On reaching the vessel, Captain Hayward and the doctor informed the Health Officer that there was one case of small-pox on board, the patient being a steerage passenger named Worth, who had shipped at San Francisco, as a through passenger to Sydney. The disease did nofc show itself until after the vessel had left Honolulu, when steps were at once taken to have the patient isolated, and the doctor stated that he was doing as well as could be expected. On hearing the report, Dr. Lewis ordered the mails to be taken to the fumigating hulk, forbidding all communication between the vessel and the shore. The Mariposa brought eleven passengers for Auckland and fifty-six for Sydney. The Auckland passengers were landed at Motuihi on the 4th February. The tug boot was despatched to the steamer with a coal hulk in tow, and 250 tons taken on board by the men of the Mariposa. The steamer resumed her voyage to Sydney on Feb. 4, at nine a.m. Her New Zealand cargo was discharged into lighters. The passengers were released from quarantine on Feb. 18.