FATAL SICKNESS ON TROOPSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17424, 19 September 1918, Page 4

FATAL SICKNESS ON TROOPSHIP.

SIX OF CREW SUCCUMB, DEATHS NOW TOTAL EIGHTY. liiformation gleaned locally shoVs thai, ia audition to tdio /4 soldiers wno succumbed to tne epidemic oi liiuuenzi-pneunjuLua, six ineinoers oi tile crew aiso aiecl. i n» nanm oi tiiu deceased memoers of toe crew are:— ?' pennant, fourth engineer, Timaru. 1). 1< lsuer, assistant carpenter, Wellington. 1). Carmicna.fl, A.8., JJunedin. 1. J. iiigas, Li'iiiiiutr, Victors .Henry .fminps, amy s baner, Cnristcharch. J. Jaayden, trimmer, JLiverpool. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST INFECTION. STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF OEFENGK UNITED pßsaa Absociatioh.) WELLINGTON, September 18. iho Acting jfi-nna Minister and Minister of Uelence stated to-aay tnat a telegram had been received inquiring wnetner the next-of-kin of those members of the 40th itClinorceinents reported cit_aa irom sickness had been _ advjsed beiore tne names were given to the press. All the next-of-kin had peen advised M nours beiore puDncation. i'hc names ot tne siak had not been sent because reports in these cases had not yet been received, 'ine Question li&d aiso ceen raised as to the measures thai mignt be taken to protect subsequent roinlorcements by tlie samo route as tne 40th traversed, dir James Allen remarked that inquiry as to the origin of the trouble began immediately news »vas received, with a view to uuang any action which might help to safeguard troops in the iuture. Ho thought httle could be done with the ships, but it might bo desirable to prevent later draits going ashore at certain ports where there might bp a risk of dangerous infection;" but the department wouid await a report before taking any action. The 41st Reinforcements, who went by the same route, were reported " liealth good" at a port of call on September 11. Similar reports had been received from ports of call in regard to the 42nd Reinforcements (September 6), and 43rd (August 31). FULLEST PARTICULARS CABLED FOR. Mr T. K. Sidey M.P., yesterday received the following telegram from Skr James Allen, Acting Prime Minister:—"Your further telegram was received too late to permit of a reply last night. I sent a cable to General Richardson yesterday for the fullest particulars, and you may rest assured) that immediately further advices are received regarding those who are ill they will be immediately communicated to the next-of-kin, and 24- hours later given to the \>rcss." .