EXAMINING RATS. INOCULATING OFFICIALS

Otago Witness, Issue 2408, 26 April 1900, Page 20

EXAMINING RATS. INOCULATING OFFICIALS

AUCKLAND, April 20.

Dr Mason and Mr Gilruth have taken from a shed on the western tee of the wharf a rat killed by one of the men. It appeared ill. It is stated that the rat has been examined, and it is -said a guinea pig has been inoculated. The result of the examination Aviil be known on Monday. MeaiiAvhile the three men in the shed have been isolated, and the shed shut and fumigated. Until further notice cargo from infected ports AviH. be landed in lighters and fumigated. The cargo of the Flora from the south, stored in the shed, is quarantined, and Avill liave to be fumigated before being sent up loavii. The cargo by the Mararoa from Sydney, Fernfield from NeAV York via Sydney, and Wakanui from London A-ia Hobait Avill all have to be transhipped into lighters. So far as is known, although it Avas thought adA'isable to examine the rodent caught at the shed of the Avestern tee, there is no reason to regard it as other than an experiment, and the rumour that the rat Avas plague-stricken is not verified, as no such discovery Avas made. Dr Mason has discovered a number of insanitary spots, and the nuisance has been ordered to be remedied and the buildings burned. The Premier, in a tour of inspection in the suburbs al&o discovered some bad cases. The Premier is urging vigorous measures on

the City Council. To-day Dr Mason and Mr Gilruth inoculated six harbour board ofncie>ls, Drs Baldwin and "LeAvis, and a number of wharf lumpers. The Avhan-es are to be made rat proof.

AUCKLAND RATS INFECTED. NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. AUCKLAND, April 21. Dr Mason and Mr Gilruth Avaited upon his Excellency the GoA r ernor at Government House to-night, and expressed regret at having to report as o result of the bacteriological examination that certain rats found upon the AA-harves left no doubt whateA-er that they suffered from the bacillus of bubonic plague. This fact, hoAveA'er, need not raise any extraordinary alarm, because &ooncr or later the infection of rodents must have occurred. In Melbourne and Brisbane during the last feAv months infected rats haA^e beon found, j-et no human being contracted the disease. Dr Mason and Mr Gilruth urge all civic authorities to use all precautions possible, and to distribute poison free for destroying