THE MAORI EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15375, 9 August 1913, Page 8

THE MAORI EPIDEMIC.

RESTRICTING THE NATIVES. D#. . VALINTINE OPTIMISTIC. NO CAUSE FOR • ANXIETY. CITY PRACTICALLY CLEAR.

No fresh cases of the prevailing Maori epidemic'were discovered in the city or suburbs ? yesterday. .; One suspicious case only, that of a European ' infant in Ponsonby, was reported to the Health Office, and both the little patient and the mother are being kept under observation. The president of the Auckland Exhibi tion (Mr. George Elliot) yesterday interviewed Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, Chief Health Officer, who was in Auckland for the day on his way to the North. Mr. Elliot asked Dr. Valintine whether the Department would consent to remove.'all Maori patients from ■ the Point Chevalier Hospital, and send them out of the city. : The Chief Health Officer stated in reply that this was exactly what the Department already had under consideration. There were a number of convalescents at Point Chevalier, and % was obvious that' if some suitable place could be found for them it would be a wise precaution to remove them to it, and keep the present Isolation Hospital for acute cases only, .The difficulty would be to secure a place where effective quarantine could bo ensured, because, of some of the convalescent patients, although they had quite recovered, were still carrying infection. It would be impossible to > send the Maoris to Motuihi (the quarantine island) owing to (the fact that it was being used at present by the overflow of patients from the Mental Hospital Mr. Elliot asked whether it would not be • possible to keep Point ■ Chevalier for white patients only. : •■■ Dr. Valintine replied that to do so would mean duplicating the staff now at the Isolation Hospital.

'.Maoris Must Have Special Permits.

Mr. Elliot remarked that from the latest reports' it was evident that Auckland was now practically clear of the epidemic, but emphasised the urgency of keeping Maoris out of the city. "Is it not a source of danger," he asked, having Maoris here who are living in filthy pas?" ( . "All the loafing class of Maoris have disappeared from the town," said Dr. Valintino. "Not only that, but let me emphasise what does not appear to be generally known, namely, that Maoris are prohibited from travelling on any steamer, train, tram, or-public conveyance of any kind, even if they can show certificates of successful vaccination. This : applies to the whole of the Auckland province. The only Maoris that we know are in the city now are those who are working here and were doing so before the outbreak occurred. These have ail been vaccinated; successfully, they are living under. European conditions, and the whole- of the boardinghouses inhabited by them : have '.:,:' been thoroughly inspected, and disinfected where necessary. vln such cases, we iss'je special permits, and only these can be ussd as passports to travel." ■..■' i The Chief Health Officer assured Mr. Elliot that he did hot think there was any cause to be anxious. "I : really think." he raid, "that we shall be clear \of the disease before the Exhibition, opens. 'H That is to say, there may bo one or two isolated cases, but the epidemic will be over." -\ _■~; What the Department is Doing. - In conclusion, Dr. Valihtine said the 'Department had its work well organised. They had ■ about 30 doctors, invested with special : powers, engaged in fighting the 'disease up and down . each ~ coast and throughout the infected areas, addition: to a large number of inspectors. All were in touch with the health office. 'Every case of the disease was marked down, 1 and the local bodies in all districts were co-operat-ing with the Department in ] turning the Maoris out of the towns ■ and preventing them from travelling. ' ', l .i- ■'•■ ■;■'.'v ! ■''■;: v " ; } • : Mr. Elliot said it was very reassuring to learn from Dr. ": Valintine that there was no cause for alarm. :' '' ""■."■■