TOUR POSTPONED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23082, 6 July 1938, Page 12

TOUR POSTPONED

VICE-REGAL CRUISE VISIT TO ISLANDS MEASLES AT RAROTONGA MAUNGANUI ALSO AFFECTED Within about 24 hours of the scheduled time for the warship's departure, it was officially announced yesterday that the cruise to South Pacific islands by H.M.S. Leander, with the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, and Lady Galway on board, had been postponed. Following reports of the prevalence of measles at Rarotonga, this action was decided upon after consultation with officers of the Health Department, but it is hoped that the voyage may be commenced within four or five weeks. All arrangements had been made for tho Leander's departure to-day when advice of tho postponement was received by tho naval authorities. Their Excellencies were to have arrived by train from Wellington this morning, and tho Chief of Naval Staff. Commodore H. E. Horan, reached Auckland yesterday for the purpose of seeing them embark on the Leander at noon to-day.

Preparations on Warship On board the warship preparations had been completed for the cruise, which was planned to occupy more than a month. It was proposed that the Leander's first port of call should bo Karotonga, which would have been reached next Tuesday, for a stay of two days. I' rom there the warship would have made a comprehensive tour of the British South Pacific possessions which arc under New Zealand administration, the plans including visits to several of the islands in the Cook Group at which, on the score of economy, it was not possible to call during the previous Vice-Regal tour in 1933. New Plans for Leander Although the Islands tour will not take place for at least some weeks, it is unlikely that the Leander will remain in port and it was stated in Wellington yesterday that in all probability a cruise to Russell would take place in tho interim. Tho fact that cases of measles have occurred at Rarotonga has also resulted in a slight change in the itinerary of the passenger steamer Maunganui, which will leave Auckland to-morrow on the first of the season's cruises to the Islands. Passengers will be unable to go ashore during tho vessel's call at Rarotonga and only mails and perishable cargo will be landed. jFrorn Rarotonga the Maunganui will proceed to Papeete in continuation of her trip.

CONTROL MEASURES ONE ISLAND AFFECTED PREVENTION OF SPREAD NATIVES' LOW RESISTANCE [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON. Tuesday Information received from the External Affairs Department to-day was to the effect that two cases of measles had been reported in Rarotonga on July 2 and a further 11 cases had since been reported. All schools had been closed and every effort was being made to prevent the infection from spreading to other islands in the Cook group. So far as is known, the outbreak is confined to Rarotonga, and as there are no European medical officers stationed in the outer islands the need for the utmost precautions to prevent the spread of the disease is apparent. Ike outbreak, it is considered, came from New Zealand, probably by the Matua on its second to last voyage. Iho natives exhibit little resistance to the disease. Unless stringent precautions were observed there would be a likelihood of the epidemic spreading rapidly, as it did in Samoa in 1935-36. On that occasion whooping cough was also prevalent and tho death rate was high. As far as is known there has not previously been a measles epidemic in the Cook Islands. According to the 1936 census figures the European population of tho group was 255 and the total population roughly 12,000. Rarotonga is tho largest island in the group, tho principal islands in tho southern portion being Aitutaki, A tin, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitiano, and in the northern portion Manahiki, Rakahanga Pukapuka and Penrhyn.

EPIDEMIC IN DOMINION WIDESPREAD INCIDENCE [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The director of tho Public Hygien© Division of tho Health Department, Dr. T. 11. Ritchie, stated to-day that tho measles epidemic is at present widespread in tho Dominion, but is not more than of average severity. Measles epidemics were usually experienced in cycles every three or four years, and tho present ono was an experience of this nature. It had assumed its most severe proportions in tho North Auckland district several weeks ago, when, in addition to normal cases of disease, several cases with complications had been reported.