THE YELLOW FLAG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14566, 31 December 1910, Page 7

THE YELLOW FLAG.

SUPPOSED SMALL-POX CASI£.

LARGE STEAMER AT LYTTELTON.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Christchubch, Friday. Considerablk surprise was caused amongst shipping people at Lyftelton early this morning when a large steamer in light trim and flying the yellow flag was observed coming into the harbour. She proved to be the Knight of he Garter, which left Shanghai on December 10 for the Otago Heads for orders. She has been chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Company to. load wool and general cargo at New Zealand ports for London. The Knight of the Garter anchored in the stream off Camp Bay at 6.55 a.m. and signalled that she was in urgent need of medical attendance. The Waitemata from Calcutta arrived in the stream about an h<jur later from Calcutta direct- and reported that she had had a mishap to her steering gear.

The yellow flag flying at the masthead of the Knight of tho Gaiter indicated that someone on board was sick, and when Dr. C. H. Upham, port, health officer, boarded he found that the chief officer was ill. No, othor communication was allowed between the steamer and tho shore, and the vessel was at once quarantined. It is reported that tho chief officer is suffering from smallpox. Dr. Finch, district health officer, accompanied by Dr. Upham, went off to the Knight of the Garter to make the necessary arrangements for the isolation of the patient, who will probably bo sent to the hospital at Quail Island quarantine station..

On. inquiries being made at the office of the New Zealand Shipping Company it was stated that the detention of the vessel would cause some inconvenience, as the greater part of her cargo was already in stores awaiting shipment. The Knight of the Garter passed the Papanui. which left Melbourne on December 5 for Japan, on the 19th inst. in. latitude 2deg. 57min. south and longitude 15'2.52deg. east. The Papanui desired to he reported 11 well.

The Knight of the Garter -will proceed to Auckland .on Saturday. She will be in close quarantine for 14 days, and the crew of white officers and 47 Chinese have all been vaccinated.