THE TROOPSHIP MONTROSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 25

THE TROOPSHIP MONTROSE.

MEASLES AND SCARLATINA

TWO DEATHS REPORTED.

AUCKLAND, August 19.

The troopship Montroso moored in the gulf last nigiit, and entered port this morning. The vessel was flying a signal tiiat there was sickness on board. The pilot reports delay on the trip down the coast owing to a breakdown in the engine room. Tho vessel will be docked here for a day or two.

Nnrse Gould, who returned to Australia. by the Montrose, mlerviewed at Sydney, said she was at Durban when the Draytou, Grange left. The authorities only put healthy men on the Drayton Grange, and all the sick wore put on the Montrose. There were some measles on the Montrose, but there was plenty of room for the patients. The food was good, and hospital accommodation was ample. All the Australian and New Zealand nurse 3 (five) were sent home by the Montrose Sister Steel came on here by the Montrose.

At about 1 o'clock this morning Dr Sharman. port health officer, accompanied by Dr Makgill, district health officer, wont off to inspect the troopship Montrose, a rigid inspection of all being determined on. No one but the dootors were permitted to board the vessel. There was an outbreak of measles and scarlatina, and about 50 wero suffering from one or other of those complaints or from pneumonia. All, with the exception of one case, were among troopers, one of the crew having been attacked by measles. The health officers decided that the unalids would have to be landed in quarantine, and that before any troopers could land the \essel and their kits would have to underge fumigation. Deep disappointment was expressed by scores of relatives of the troopers, who had congregated on the wharf. The vessel proceeded down to Motuihi about midday, 50 beds having in t'le meanwhile been prepared for the reception of the invalid troopi r*. Tiiese will be housed in one of the buildings on the island, and will have the best of attention The major portion of the Montrose passengers belong to the Tenth Contingent, but there- are also details from oth' rs.

The Montrce i« something of 3 hospital ship, all the imalids po--s'b!« being placed on board her. She is reported as a clean, wholesome vessel Measles haio been prevalent, throughout the voyage, but there was no siar ! a imt. when M»»lhcurno was reached. Nursing Sister Steel, of New Zi.a land, is on board.

Lifeutenant-coloael Reid, who went alongside the vessel about 11 o'clock, was iuformod by the officer commanding that two troopers had died during the \oyage from Melbourne. He was further informed that the- 50 to be landed there were 13 cases of scarlatina and pi eunionia, the remainder being on the sick list, but their complaints aro not ascertainuble. The health officers decided that immediately after the landing of the patients and the fumigation of the vessel the quarantine restrictions would bo removed. The yes-el left the harbour at about a quaiter to 12 for Motuihi The whole of the troops will be landed in Auckland, and the southern drafts will be forwarded to their respective eontie« by coastal steamerb. All the information gained was got by officers shouting over the rail of the vessel to those on the steam launch below. The Montrose reached the quarantine anchorage at 2.15 this afternoon. Steps were immediately taken to land the invalids.

It was learned by telephone that the names of the troopers who died during the voyage from Albany are Manning and A'Court. The latter is a farrier sergeant. The districts to which deceased belonged are not available, but it is believed both are southerners.

The following is a list of the Montroee troopers most seriously ill, whoso condition "ZzAft it naotf ucc th*fc than jhauld be tnkea

to the Auckland Hospital instead" of being left at Mohihi:— 929l, C. R. James; 9U6, A. Smiley ; 5695, R. Graham (Auckland section); 5694, Shellock; 9005, J. Platz (Auckland section) ; 8795, G. S. Beattie (Auckland section) ; 9305, C. Manson (Lyttelton) ; 9609, Gaffney; 8829, D. Jackson; 8932, Corporal T. J. Couper (Auckland section) ; 9302, J. T. Meredith: 5923, Blyde ; 8752, Stafford; 3644, Petherick; 8687, Doyle.

All these are suffering from' pneumonia except Manson, who has developed scarlet fpver following on pneumonia, and, with the exception of Meredith, who has expressed a wish to be taken to his home in the south, will find accommodation in the Auckland Hospital. The doctors state that there is no immediate probability of any deaths occurring, but the condition of A. Graham. Beattie, and Man*on is considered rather critical. In addition to those mentioned above, four, whose cases are not so serious, have been left on the ship through one reason or another, and will also be taken to the hospital to-morrow — viz., Wilkinson. Harkness, Kerr, and Hawkesworth. In addition to these there are 49 sick and eomalescent men left on MohihT. and seven go to their homes. The =.s. Montrose had a total of 674 men on board.

Aueust 20,

Two more ca^es of measles on the troopship Montrose, w ith the southern troopers, while alongside the wharf, have been reported, and the vessel has been ordered to anchorage. The names are not available. AujniFt 21

To day Dr Sharman, Major Andrew, and Chaplain Lnxford paid a visit to the troop." at Motuihi, and found Trooper Low, of We^tport, greatly improved and not dangerously ill. A few of the patients are confined to bed. All are in good spirits and comfortable.

August 23

A report from Motuihi states that the Montrose's invalids arc all doing well, with ths exception of Trooper* C. Lowe and L. D. Morgan, who both caught colds on th# journey from the Montrose. Sergeant Pierard and Corporal Leeomte, who volunteered to nurse the scarlet fever cases-, have both b»en stricken down by that disease. Some of the troopers in the district hospital passed a bad night, but are not in » serious condition.

August 25,

The Health Department has received word of the death of Trooper Blyle, of Inglewood, one of the Montrose troopers.

The following is the condition of the troopers in the Auckland Hospital: — Jame« Doyle, Gaftrey, Smiley, Jackson Stafford, Slyde, Bowell, and Lynch, doing well ; Platz and Cowper, about the same ; Parker and Hawksworth, critical ; Kerr, seriously ; Beattie, Webb, Petherick, Hyne, Ghezzi, and Peverall, improving; Shellock, Graham, Nanson, and Blackloek. very ill; Doncglme. ordinary case, very slight illness; Trooper Caradus, pneumonia, condition serious, though better last night, being nursed privately. Trooper Campbell (Dunedin) is in a critical condition in a private hospital, suffering from pneumonia. The military control over the Motuihi station ceased to-day, and the invalids were placed under civil control. Dr Swale weut down as medical officer i.n charge of £he hospital, and will have four trained nurses and a staff of men with him. The patients at Motuihi are all doing well, and none of the cases are serious.

THE OTAGO MEN ON BOARD.

AUCKLAND. August 20,

The Montrose tioopers at Motuihi are in \ery comfortable quarters in a large building with beds on each side of one long room. There is ample provinon for warmth. Outside there are one or two bays always sh altered.

The discipline on the Montrose was splendid The ship is beautifully clean, and the officers are well pleased with the behaviour of the men. Of the troopers in hospital only four are Eeriously ill. One of these is Meredith (of Chrutchurch), who goes on with the Montrose.

The Otago list ex Montro c o is as fol lows : —

Officers. — Major W. S Pennycook, Quar-teriTLa.ster-eaptain R. J. Bremuor. E Squadron. — Troopers G. Forbes, M. J. Graham, L. G. Hurse, Reeves, Quartcrma«-ter-sergeant Stark, Corporals M'Donald and Douglas, Lance-corporals Tata and Burrows, Privates Bateman, Barker, Calder, Johnston, Marsh, C. Stuart, Webster, Serves (? Sewell), Dunall (? Doonan).

F. Squadron —Farrier-sergeant M'Kay, Tioopers Cooper and J. M'Farlane.

G. Squadron. — Ssrgeant^major J. J. Cooper, Sergeants C. D. Burgess, R. Sutherland, Corporals M. P. Corliss and J. A. \nderson, Lancp-corporals H. Stone and T Anderson, Troopers E M. Richardson. J J. Kilpatrick. G. R. Kapter. T. E. Cooper, W. Meadows, E. Goodall. B. Doueherty, W. T. RidfJ. .T. Farley. J. H. Ti Cromb, J. M.tchofl. G. H Sutherland, R. Smith, ~\V. J. Greon, F. H. Ward, W. Wilson, T Price. W. Edgerombe, C. T Cadogan. R. FTa-*?r, J. Hunt, (; Joyce, T. F. Knowles. J M. Kelly, .7. TT Meyor. F. Milne, .T. F. Robins. A. R. Smiley, T. A Kitchen. .7. Ruto'iffo, R. D. Fn.ith, \V. Hutrhintrs. A. Band. E. Myers, A. A Krm», .7 (iilrhri't. L C. Morrison, Lanre-rorp >ra! A. \T.

H Squadron. — Sergeant maior Murphy, Ouartor-ma«ier-sertreant J. T. M'Donald, Srppant= J. A. C Clyma., V Marisco, A. E Bragg. H. G Hinton. Corporals T. L. Anderson. W. A. Tylburn. Lance-corporals F. K. PaTk«>i-, M. Riddell. and J. Anderson, lamer-sergeants W. Excll. L^itch, avd J. Davidson. Private? D. Blackburn, B. C. Bacon. A. Badeno<k E Burpp*^. S. Bnrgess, P. Haird. H. Burton, A. V. Clark. H. S Campbell. H Corbet. A Dempster, F. H Deans R. Dow. V. H. DrUcr.ll. W. Da\ir'son, A E''w. W fl Fox. .r Fallowfield. P. J. Gorman, W. J. Oaffey. H. (ioockir. J. Henderson. E. R King P M Kirk. W. Lang. W. H. Latimor. A. Logan, W. A Lvun, W Matlie.-on. A. MTMI. W F. M-Keitch. V \l. M'Clnro, J M'Lean, E C Orchard. W Given. W C. Pnne. A. Pratt, B. Perks. R. Peebles. J. PaUrson, D Ro?pr?, H C. Reeves. C. H. Roxburgh, J RohfTtson, H. Swain. J. T Staple, fi. P Smith. J. Scoft. R J Stewart. R. £mith, J. Smillie. O. Thomson R. Tliom. B. G. M'Donald. Taylor. W. L. White, E Williams, W. Walker, R. A Wylie, E. Almond.

It is now arranffPcl that thf Vonrrose will proceed south \uth the southern contingents. The troopers seriously ill in hospital are Privates Graham, Manson, Shellock (Eighth Ccntingen'l and Bpattie. Corporal Manson is convalewent at Motuihi. Tt now appears that Meredith ia well on the way to recovery. Some further particulars regarding the two xn«a of tht Moatrose who died at »c* ihax

that -barrier Quarter-master-sergeant A'Court (of Christchurch) was received into hospital on the 9th, suffering from pleuro-pneumonia and weak heart. On Wednesday evening last at 11 o'clock the doctor and chaplain visited him, and he spoke cheerfully on the prospect of reaching his home. He suddenly got worse, however, and the doctor again saw him, but he died of collapse at 7 o'clock. He was buried at sfa with military honours, Cl>aplain-captain Luxford conducting tbe service. The sergeant had proved himself expert in his business, and during th© voyage out on the f s. Norfolk, as veil as in camp, had rendered valuable service to the regirr^nt. He was popular among his comrades, and vas a non.-com. on whom the staff could r^ly to c!o his work efficiently. Trooper- Rudolph Manning, whose parents reside at Pukekohe, Auckland, was only 21 years of age He died ou Thursday evening last of pneumonia and scarlet fever, and was buried at sea with military honours on Friday morning, the captain-chaplain again conducting the service. He was a youth of buoyant spirits and cheerful manners, and when in Newcastle Hospital was a great favourite with the attendants and visitors.

Lieutenant-colonel Robin has received intimation from the Defence Department that there are ]48 men for the Otago distnct on board tho Montrose.

The troopship Montrose save mere than ample accommodation for the complement of 1050 officers and infra, the number on the roll when she left Durban ; and an inspection made last evening showed that everything was in splendid order, well ventilated throughout, and with plenty of space for the shngiug of hammocks and complete arrangements for messing troopers. The impression gathered from the inspection was confirmed by the men themselves, who expressed satisfaction with both the accommodation and the food, while on tbe other hand the officers commanding said the conduct and discipline of the troops throughout were most creditable. So well, indeed, do the troops appear to have behaved themselves throughout that the military authorities at Natal expressed their satisfaction to Major Andrews, while cm the arrival at Melbourne the troops were allowed to land and spend 24- houre in the capital of Victoria, the Federal Commandant ((J-eneral Hutton) having arranged with the Mayor of the city for leave. The men showed their appreciation by conducting themselves admirably, and not a single complaint was received concerning their behaviour.