SMALLPOX AT PAPEETE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23859, 13 July 1939, Page 11

SMALLPOX AT PAPEETE

THE MAUNGANUI DIVERTED PORTS OF CALL CHANGED APIA, July 11. The Maunganui, on her winter Islands cruise, will arrive this afternoon from Tonga ports. Owing to an outbreak of smallpox at Papeete the steamer was diverted from her original route, and is now calling at Tonga and Samoa, including Pago Pago, Fiji, and New Caledonia, and will return to Auckland. The Maunganui will remain at Apia until 1 a.m. on Friday. Although arriving eight days ahead of schedule, the original programme of entertainment for the tourists will be carried out. This includes sight-seeing tours, an island night’s entertainment, a flower show, native dances by Samoan hospital nurses, and a Catholic Club entertainment. ARRIVAL OF TOLTEN PASSENGERS AND CREW VACCINATED (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 12. To guard against the spread of the occurrence of smallpox from Tahiti, strict precautions were taken during the medical examination of the Union Company’s chartered motor ship Tolten on her arrival at Auckland from Papeete this morning. Practically all of the eight passengers and 46 members of the crew were vaccinated, the work occupying about two hours and a-half. The outbreak of smallpox, the first experienced at Tahiti, was discovered on the last day of the Tolten’s stay at. Papeete, and before the ship sailed for Auckland one death and 14 cases had been reported. The passengers and the ship’s complement appeared to realise the serious nature of the occurrence, and in most cases were glad to receive vaccination. Some were able to show recent certificates of vaccination against smallpox, but offered to take part in the general measure. Members of the crew, nevertheless, lamented the fact that they were not allowed to take any form of alcohol for 24 hours. On her arrival the Tolten anchored off Orakei, and was boarded about 7 o’clock by the acting port health officer (Dr Watson), Dr Smith, of the Health Department, and two other Health Department officials. The Customs launch reached the ship shortly after, but returned to Auckland to wait until pratique was granted at 9.30. After receiving clearance, the Tolten discharged a small quantity of explosives into a lighter before moving to the Queen’s wharf about noon. The passengers were permitted to land, but will be required to report daily for a week to the Health Department. The crew will be examined daily on the ship.