TOO MANY RATS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17635, 27 May 1919, Page 5

TOO MANY RATS

MENACE IN THE NORTH. ACTION BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. (Feom Oub Own Cokeespondent.) WELLINGTON, May 26. liom some parts of New Zealand reports have come to the Public Health Department regarding the existence of a rat pest. Instructions were given to the department by the Minister to prepare a report re°-ardin<* the measures that ought to be taken to destroy rats. The Minister made a statement on the subject tovday. "The position is," said Mr Russell, "that as far back as 1911 regulations were gazetted to prevent or check the spread of plague by fats. These regulations Jiave not at any time hitherto been brought into operation, but they are to be brought into force now. Amongst the recommendations for dealing with the rat plague are tho following:—Steps will be taken continuously to secure rats for examination as to the presence or absence of the plague bacillus More particularly will attention be paid to rats found in and around the wharves of the principal ports of New Zealand, and at all times in any places where an unexplained mortality among rats is reported the district health officers will get into touch with the Harbour Boards in ■ their districts, advising them of the need for taking steps to destroy rats in sheds and buildings on the wharves, _ advising also the rat-proofing of all' buildings on their wharves, if possible, and the pulling down, of old or rat infested buildings and the erection of buildings of rat-proof foundations. This has been most effectivo_ at New Orleans, in America, in eradicating the rat plague. Another requirement is that masters of ships, both coastal and overseas, shall be required to produce a certificate that their ships have been subjected to anti-rat fumigation when the holds were empty within tho past six months, and in cases where no such certificate can be produced steps will be taken forthwith to destroy rate on board his ship. Harbour Boards will be required to acquaint the district, health officers at the earliest possible moment of the existence or suspicion of sickness or unexplained mortality among rats on the wharves. In the case of ships found to have plague rats on board the district health officers will exercise their full powers under tho quarantine regulations. This action is being taken in consequence of attention being drawn to reports that have come from Auckland and Wellington as to the existence of something m the nature of a rat menace. It is hoped that with the assistance of the local authorities active steps will bo taken to deal with this pressing danger."