SMALLPOX OUTBREAK

Otago Witness, Issue 3097, 23 July 1913, Page 31

SMALLPOX OUTBREAK

VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN IN PROGRESS. MORE CASES REPORTED. AUCKLAND, July 15. The chief health officer’s deputy (Di Frengley), who arrived from \Vellmgton on Sunday to co-operatc with Dr Monk in suppressing the epidemic, visited the isolation hospital at Port Chevalier yesterday afternoon. When asked about the condition of the patients Dr Frengley said that they were all doing well, although some were suffering more severely than others according to the stages of the trouble. A few, he said, have so far recovered as to be able to walk about, while one or two cases were still acute. There were 10 females and 15 males under treatment in isolation; this number including a young male European. The latter had almost recovered. In the majority of Ih® cases Dr Frengley said the facial disfigurement while the eruption was out was very pronounced, but still they were doing well. HEALTH OFFICER S STATEMENT. AUCKLAND, July IG. The outlook in connection with the outbreak of the disease amongst the Maoris is improving. According to a statement made to-day by the District Health Officer no fresh Maori cases had been reported in the city, but one case, that of a male Native, had been discovered in' the suburbs. The patient had been in contact with other cases, and was removed to the isolation hospital. The number of patients now? isolated is 27. A few cases of pustular disease outside the city and suburbs were reported to the District Health Officer, but turned out to be certainly chickenpox. In regard to the statement of Dr Good, of Whangarei, that fully 300 Natives were affected by the disease in the north and that a certain percentage of the cases were certainly smallpox, the District Health Officer stated that it did not appear that Dr Good had had an opportunity of going through the districts said to be infected, therefore the report of the doctor who was specially sent by the Health Department to these districts must be taken as final. The doctor in question reported that the statements in regard to infection in the north had been very much exaggerated. It was reported by telegraph yesterday that four deaths had taken place among the Natives in the settlements round about Kawakawa, where there has been an outbreak of the disease. It has not yet been made clear whether these Natives died from the prevailing pustular disease or some other complaint. The District Health Officer has not yet received word as to the disease from which the Natives died, but Dr Lunn, of Kataia, at the instance of the Health Department is visiting the settlements, which are widely scattered, and his report will probably soon bo forthcoming. REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY. AUCKLAND, July 17. The position in regard to the epidemic in the city remains practically unchanged. Only one fresh Auckland case was reported yesterday, the patient being a European resident of Onchunga, employed in a city factory. He called at the District Health Office in the morning with an introduction from a doctor, and as a pustular rash was showing on his face he was at once, sent out to the Point Chevalier Isolation Hospital. The Acting Sanitary Inspector of tho City Council reported to the town clerk to-day that he had located some cases of chicken-pox amongst Europeans, two in the city, three in the Grafton district, and two in Ponsonby. From various country districts 10 fresh cases of Maori epidemic were reported to Dr Monk; all Natives. Of these three were from Tawhare, two from Kawakawa, and one each from Mangapehi, Okania, iTerekino, Tairua, and Miranda. The Mangapehi patient (a woman) was in Mangen; about three weeks ago, and the Herekino and Miranda patients were in Auckland some little time ago. July 13. There are now 30 patients at the Port Chevalier Hospital suffering from the prevailing epidemic. The two latest cases are from Ponsonby and Nelson street. Of these the former was sent out to the isolation hospital late on Thursday night and tho latter was admitted this morning. Both are Europeans. Suspicious cases reported to the district health officers comprise one in Ponsonby, one in Mount Eden, and one in Parnell. The three patients concerned are all Europeans. All the patients at Port Chevalier are progressing well, and there have been no deaths. Some of the patients will be discharged in the course of a few days. CASES AT HUNTLY. AUCKLAND, July 20. Yesterday morning fresh cases of the prevailing epidemic were discovered in the city and suburbs, and the patients were immediately sent out to the isolation hospital at Point Chevalier. All were Maoris. Two of the cases were located at Onehnnga, a third was a waterside worker residing in Mannion street, and a fourth was a Native who was discovered walking down Queer; street. In the latter case Inspector of the Public Health Department, saw tho man walking aimlessly along tho street. His face was badly" pock-marked, and Inspector Furniss* immediately “arrested” him and conveyed him to the Health Department's office, where his trouble wad at once diagnosed as an undoubted case. The man was placed in an ambulance an<f driven without delay to the isolation hospital. Complaints have been received from country districts that Natives visibly suffering from some pock complaint are travelling about without restraint, because

despite the evidence of the stale of health they are in thev possess certifivates indicating that they have been vaccinated. The matter was referred to Dr Frengley, and he stated that the District Health Officer was now awaiting instructions from Wellington as to what should be done to restrict the movements of contacts whether vaccinated or not. The strictest supervision is being maintained by the department in regard to shipping. Every boat belonging to the coastal °fleet is 'boarded by a doctor on arrival, and those who have not been vaccinated’ have to submit to the injection of the lymph or stay aboard the ship. The doctors are still besieging the Health Department daily for fresh supplies of lymph. Nearly all the medical men have been appointed public vaccinators, and people may be treated free by any doctor holding such an appointment. Word was received late this afternoon that three more cases had been discovered in the city, including one of a European at Parnell”. Light and severe Maori cases are reported from Huntly. CASES AT WHANGAREI. WHANG ARE!, July 16. There are eight cases of smallpox in the Whangarei hospital. A well-known resident carrying on business in Cameron street has' contracted the disease, and is now an inmate. A rumour went round today that the case was definitely one of smallpox, but Dr Fraser Hurst says the case is the same as all the others, and is of opinion that it is not smallpox. He fully believed the cases were similar to those in Sydney, but lie would not call one of those he had seen smallpox. There was absolutely no need for alarm. The position was no more serious here than it was six weeks ago. At the same time he considered that all those who had not been vaccinated should submit to the operation. It would prevent persons from getting smallpox violently if there were any about. A Maori was brought into the hospital yesterday from suffering from the malady. Two other Natives of Limestone, a man and a woman, are now convalescent. VACCINATION CERTIFICATES. (Fbom Ocb Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, July 18. The fact that persons who can produce certificates of successful vaccination can move about without restriction seems to require immediate attention from the Department of Public Health, for the present regulation is more or less a futility. For instance, a Maori, who observed a rash breaking out on his body, called on the medical superintendent of <the Whangarei Hospital in town a couple of days ago to find out what was the matter. He exhibited all the symptoms of the prevailing malady and also a certificate of successful vaccination. He was directed immediately to go into tlie isolation ward, but it *■ as s.x hours before the hospital claimed him as a patient, the interval having been spent in town and at a boarding-house. There was nothing to prevent the man, though he was highly infectious or contagious, from travelling about or even going to Auckland. Indeed, he had the necessary passport of a “successful vaccination” certificate. As there are to-day two patients in the isolation ward of tlie hospital who had been quite recently “successfully vaccinated,” the defect in the recent regulations is obvious. Representations on this subject are being made bv the Public Department and the Hospital Board. DEATH AT POINT CHEVALIER. BORROWED CERTIFICATES. AUCKLAND, July 21. News was received at- the district health office to-day that three very severe cases bad been discovered amongst the Maoris at Tarawera, near Te Awamutu; these being declared to be time smallpox, even to the marked characteristic odour. Six less severe cases were reported from the same place. The death of a Native patient was reported from Manganui, where other cases had been isolated. Further cases notified (all amongst Maoris) were as follow; — Matapuna, near Taumanui, one; Kawhia, one (a contact with Auckland cases); Okoroire district, one; Tauranga, one. In the Okoroire district vaccination, isolation, and quarantine have been enforced. A definite statement Regarding the nature of the epidemic in the Auckland district was made by Dr Frengley, of the Health Department. “The Health Office,” ho said, “has, from the outset, declared the cases isolated at Point Chevalier to bo modified smallpox, and all our precautions have been based on that diagnosis of tl*3 disease. All the patients now at Point Chevalier are considered by the department to bo suffering from modified smallpox. The department’s fear that this mild or modified form of smallpox might become more virulent in a comparatively immune aboriginal race such as the Maori,” added Dr Frengley, “seems unfortunately to have already been demonstrated in the occurrence in the Te Awamutu district as reported to-day.” “There is no doubt tb-t two diseases are prevalent,” remarked Di Monk, Health officer. “Some people are suffering from chickenpox and others from smallpox.” Supplies of lymph are corning to hand from Wellington daily, except on Mondays, when no maiirytrunk express arrives. On Sunday 1000 tubes were received, and these were all disposed of by tin’s afternoon. A Maori woman died in the isolation hospital at- Point Chevalier to-day. The other patients are progressing favourably. The nine Europeans, all of whom are -“contacts,” are only slightly infected. Two more Europeans were found to be Buffering from the disease to-day, one at Ponsonby and the other at Parnell. Both were immediately sent to the isolation hospital.

DR YALINTINE’S BULLETINS. PLENTY OF LYMPH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 15. Dr Valinline says that there is an ample supply of lymph. Forty thoj sand doses, he says, will be immediately available. Of these, 10,000 doses will sent tr. Auckland, and the balance will be distributed in other parts of the North Island. July 16. Dr Yalintine, Chief Health Officer, In a statement this evening regarding the epidemic, said that there were 27 patients in the Point Chevalier Hospital, 25 being Natives. Some 20 cases, he said, were now under treatment in various parts of the Auckland district, principally Maungatautari, Kaikohc, Otorohanga, and Te Awamutu. Three fresh cases had been reported from Taupiri. and there was one case under observation near Hastings. Four deaths had occurred to date, the last being one which occurred to-dav at Pailiwera, near Te Awamutu. Dr Gunn was working in that neighbourhood. Dr Ross was proceeding to W hatawhata (where a case had been reported) en route to Raglan, "where other cases had been reported. 1 July 17. Dr Yalintine (Chief Health Officer), b. a bulletin issued at 10 o’clock this even ing, stated that there were now 28 cases of tho epidemic in the Point Chevalier Hospital, of whom three are Europeans. There are two suspected cases at Tawhera, near Morrinsville, and a suspicions case at Okuia. There is a case at Herexino. evidently a contact from Mangerc. Dr Larrick reports a case from Mir-anga, near Thames. The Bay of Islands Hospital Board had reported that tnere were two suspected cases in a hotel at Kawakawa, but a later telegram from the secretary of the board reports that the epidemic is spreading over that district, ana that five Europeans have developed the disease. “ Altogether,” says Dr Yalintine, ” the outlook this evening is not po good. July 18. There are now 30 cases under treatment at the Auckland Hospital, three being Europeans. It has been found necessary to increase the hospital accommodation by eight beds, and a marquee has been obtained from the defence authorities for this purpose. The news from the outlying districts is as follows: — Dr Wadrnore reports a case at Morrinsville, Dr Latchmore reports one at Tirau. Altogether there are some 23 cases isolated in the Auckland province, excluding those mentioned in the Auckland Hospital. Three Europeans have been isolated at Kawakawa in the Native school near that town. Dr Buck will proceed to Whangarei to-night with an ample supply of lymph, and a nurse has been despatched to Kawakawa. Dr Baker reports some doubtful cases at Kaihu. Neither Dr Gunn nor Dr Ross have made any epecail report to-day. No further cases have been reported from Hawke’s Bay, but a case has been isolated in Wellington. There is still a great demand for vaccine from all parts of the country, and there is quite enough to meet the reasonable demands of the country vaccinators. July 19. There are 34 cases in the isolation hospital at Point Chevalier. Two Maoris were received to-day from Onehunga, and one from Mangere. A European was entered from Parnell. A houee-to-house inspection is being made through Nelson street, Auckland. The following cases are reported from the Auckland district ; Two at Awakana, one at VVaikalia, one at Te Toko, one at Punga Punga. A suspected case at Ohinemutu has been removed to the Rotorua isolation hospital. The Mormon elder suspected of having introduced the disease has been discovered and taken to Kaiheke for medical examination. In addition to the case reported in Wellington and the one in Napier a suspect has been isolated at Pahiatua. July 20. There are three new cases in Auckland and eight at Huntly. WELLINGTON, July 21. The following official bulletin was issued by Dr Yalintine (Chief Health Officer) at 9.30 this evening: ‘ 1 The present position is as follows; —In Auckland City some 40 persons are isolated, including two Europeans from Onehunga, and another European admitted to the hospital to-day from Ponsonby. A European case was reported at Otahuhu yesterday. (Owing to a breakdown in telegraphic communication the exact returns are not- to hand.) Dr Gunn reports three severe cases among the Natives at Parawera, and six cases of a less severe tvpe. Inspector Cnlderwood reports a case at Matapuna and another at Pungapunga. Dr Will reports cases near Mongolia!. and is using the Rangiawhia hall for isolation purposes. Dr Douglas reports some 50 cases in various stages of the disease in the Waikato district. All the cases are isolated, also the contacts. No further news has been received from the Bay of Islands, where several cases are reported. A case has been reported at Pahiatua. Dr Mackenzie reports all clear on the Wanganui River, and Dr Cou/ens states that he has come across no cases in the Tokaanu districts. The latest report from Auckland states that a Native woman died at the Point Chevalier Hospital today. the first death recorded in Auckland.” SAFEGUARDS IN TARANAKI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, July 16. At a special meeting of the New Plymouth High School Board it was decided to send notice to the parents of all boarders informing them that it was the intention of the board to have nil the boarders at the school vaccinated. A letter has been received by the Taranaki Hospital Board from Miss Potts, schoolmistress at Bell Block, reporting that three Maori children at her school were suffering from a complaint which they said was measles. As there were about 20 M aori children at her school ehe deeemd it advisable to report the matter.

The Taranaki Hospital Board is asking the Health Department to take the necessary steps to ’ have all boats at New Plymouth and Waitara inspected on arrival and departure. PRECAUTIONS AT WANGANUI. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, July 16. Mr Braik, chief inspector of schools, reported to the Education Board to-night that disgraceful personal uncleanliness existed in a Native family attending one of the schools, and he considered that in the present developments the homes of all Native children in attendance at the schools under the board should be periodically inspected bv a health officer. ' July 19. During the past few days the public vaccinators have been kept fairly busy vaccinating the Natives of the Patea district. At Waitotara a great number of Maoris have gone through the operation with a willingness that has rendered much less difficult the work of the medical men. At the Pariroa Pa the same precautions have been taken, and all the Maoris of that district appear to be in a fairly healthy condition. UP THE WANGANUI. NO SIGN OF SMALLPOX. WANGANUI. July 21. Dr Mackenzie returned to Wellington to-day from up the Wanganui River, where he has been busily engaged for several davs vaccinating Maoris. He is returning to-day with a fresh supply of lymph. He reports that there is no sign of smallpox amongst the Maoris, but there are several cases of Ake Ake. PECULIAR POSITION AT MARTON. tFiioii Oca Own Correspondent ) WANGANUI, July 16. On the whole the Natives in the Ra-ngi-tikei district are taking the prohibitory Jaws as to travelling by train very well. A small contingent blocked at Marion Junction yesterday went up the town to be vaccinated, but owing to the absence of lymph the operation could not be performed. THE COLOUR LINE. (From Our Own Correspondents.) WANGANUI, July 17. At a recent meeting of the Wanganui Education Board ; yesterday the chairman moved as follows: “ That the Education Department be informed that the board intends to take steps to refuse to admit Maori children to the schools in its district unless satisfied by the Health or otherwise that the children come to school in a sanitary condition.” In speaking to the motion he said it was necessary that the Native children should come to school in a fairly clean condition. He had no idea of drawing the colour line, but was only trying to protect the white children. He thought that the present epidemic came from the Maoris and was contracted by children at school. European children when affected went to a doctor and were properly treated, but the Maoris neglected to do so. The motion was carried. CASE AT MAORI COLLEGE. HASTINGS, July 15. A rumour was current this afternoon that a case of smallpox had been detected among the students at the Maori Agricultural College at Bridge Pa, about nine miles fiom Hastings. At the request of the Health Department Dr Barcroft left for the college this afternoon to make an examination, and declares the case to bo one of smallpox. 'The patient, a youth of 17, arrived at the college from the north on the 11th instant, and has wellmarked evidence of recent infection. A number of the other students are showing symptoms, but the doctor is unable to form a definite opinion regarding them until to-morrow. Steps have been taken to isolate the sufferer, and the students and staff are to be vaccinated to-morrow. The station-master has received instructions that, until further advised, no Natives or half-castes are to be allowed to join any train between Napier and Woodville unless they can produce a permit from the Health Department authorising them to do so. A number of Natives were prevented from travelling by the mail train this morning. July 17. Dr Barcroft made another examination of the suspect at the Mormon Agricultural College at Bridge Pa this morning, and reports that there is very little doubt but that the student is entering upon the first stages of the disease. This is the second case of smallpox at the college. A vellow flag is now riving at Bridge Pa. ‘NAPIER, July 17. The quarantine station has been furnidied and equipped, and the first smallpox case, from the Mormon College at Bridge Pa, has been sent to this isolation hospital to-day. No fresh cases are reported here. HASTINGS, July 21. The smalhiox epidemic apparently has been chef-ken, and the scare is dying, but about 3000 people have been inoculated hi the district. CASE OF SKIN DISEASE. DANNEVIRKE, July 15A suspected case of smallpox at a Maori pa seven miles from Norsewood has been definitely diagnosed as a bad case of skin disease. SUSPECTED CASE AT PAHIATUA. PAHIATUA, July 19. Considerable consternation was caused here to-day by the announcement of a local case of efhallpox. A middle-aged man from the Auckland district, who has been staying at a local boardinghouse, developed' very suspicions symptoms of disease this morning. Dr Dawson was notified, and ordered the immediate re-

moval of the man, who is a European, to the isolation ward at the Pahiatua Hospital. An officer of the Health Department was telegraphed for, and a special nurse has been obtained from Masterton. NATURE OF THE DISEASE. NELSON, July 17. The Rev. T. G. Hammond, who has been working among the. Maoris for 35 years, speaking here, stated that the alleged smallpox was only a scare disease. He described it as Ake Ake. He said that he had known of this outbreak six months previously. It' would run its course, and would not attack Europeans to any extent. The disease appeared among the Maoris at different periods, and there was no need for alarm. VACCINATING THE MAORIS. WELLINGTON, July 15. So far three deaths have occurred from the smallpox epidemic—all Maoris. No definite details are available concerning the numbers at the Bay of Islands and the Marsden and Kaipara districts, hut reports to the department indicate that the position has been grossly exaggerated. At Maungakawhia, near Whangarci, where 500 cases of the disease were supposed to exist, it is now ascertained that only one was found. Already 20,000 tubes of lymph have gone to the infected districts. DISEASE AND TANGIS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. July 17. In referring in the House this afternoon to the epidemic amongst the Maoris, Mr Young, member for Waikato, said that whilst he agreed that everything possible wes being done by the Health Department to combat the outbreak, he considered that the registration of all deaths amongst Maoris should be made compulsory. He also referred to the practice of holding Tangis as one that needed some regulation. When Dr Stanley, of Cambridge, and Inspector Bennett recently visited the Maori Pa at Maungatautari they found a Tangi in progress over the body of a Native who undoubtedly died of smallpox. Dr Zobel, -of Te Kuiti, had also discovered amongst some Natives who were taking part in a recent Tangi two Natives who were in an advanced stage of consumption as well as suffering from chicken-pox. He (Mr Young) thought that every Tangi should be subject to a time limit, the duration to be not more than two days.—(Hear, hear.) In regard to Natives who died of any infectious disease, he considered that no Tangi at all should be allowed. CASE IN WELLINGTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 18. A case of a Wellington suspect found today has been diagnosed as typical smallpox, though in a very mild stage and unlikely to carry infection. The patient is a woman who came recently from Kawakawa. She is isolated, as also are all who have been in contact with her. The contacts have been vaccinated, and the health authorities have taken such precautions as will, it is believed, prevent any possibility of the disease gaining ground in the city. It is reported that the case of suspicious sickness which has been notified in Wellington occurred in the household of a northern member of Parliament, The member in question was not in his place in the House to-day, and his absence is supposed to be attributable to his being placed under observation as a possible “ contact.” July 20. The patient who has been placed in the isolation ward at the Wellington Hospital as suffering from the prevailing epidemic, or what is commonly spoken "of as .a mild case of smallpox, is a European maid, in the employment of Mr Vernon Reed, M.P., for the Bay of Islands. The patient, who recently arrived from Kawakawa, is reported to be making favourable progress. When the sickness was discovered, Mr Reed and the members of his household at once took steps to isolate themselves, and all weye immediately vaccinated. In order to make assurance doubly secure the authorities have placed a policeman on duty iu front of the residence, which is in Hobson street, 'Jliorndon, night and day, in order to see that no person enters or leaves the house. Arrangements have been made for food supplies to reach the inmates without them or the persons delivering the supplies coming into communication. The general practice with regard to isolation, it is understood, is to treat all houses and families alike. No one is allowed to come out of the house, so as to mingle with other people in the streets, and no one is allowed to go in. If they do, they stop in until such time as they are permitted by the health authorities to go out and mix with the rest of the world. it was ascertained by telephone this afternoon that Mr Reed and all the members of the household arc in excellent health. The vaccinations in each case are proving to he successful, and it is expected that the period of isolation will be over in two or three days; in fact, Mr Reed says that lie expects to he back in his place in the House during the coming week. Several members of Parliament and others engaged in the Parliament buildings, including half a dozen members of the press gallery, were vaccinated yesterdav. July 21. There arc in all about 10 members of the House severely affected by the results of vaccination. If they are not able to attend the House to-morrow it is quite possible that the Government may consider the question of adjourning the House for a week or 10 clays pending their recovery. SITUATION AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, July 20. There are no further developments in the local smallpox scare. The patient .isolated on Friday is reported to be making excellent progress, and none of the con-

tacts, who are being kept in rigid quarantine. have developed any indication of the disease. Ihe hospital authorities are confident that nothing more serious is likely to follow. All the public vaccinators continue to be well patronised. There is at present a good deal of chicken-pox prevalent in the city, and the district health officer is urging that in all cases there should be no delay in calling in medical advice as chicken-pox is now a notifiable disease. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. VACCINATIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, July 15. Inquiries made to-day went to show that the local health authorities are quite alive to the necessity for making preparations for the treatment of any cases of smallpox that may be discovered in the district. It is hoped, However, that the precautions being taken in the North island and stringent examination of the passengers between the North Island and the South Island, and the isolation as far as is possible of the Maoris who have been found suffering from the disease will prove efficacious in preventing the epidemic spreading to the South Island. A fairly large number of people in the city have been vaccinated recently oy the public vaccinators and by medical* practitioners, but it is considered that many more ought to be vaccinated. The work of cleaning up the city is progressing, and as far as possible steps are being taken to prevent the disease from finding a foothold in Christchurch. CHICKENPOX AT BENNETTS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 20. Inquiries at the Health Jttice" go to show that there is no apparent cause for alarm regarding the reported outbreak of chickenpox at Bennetts. The doctor who inspected the cases, which comprise three adults and a number of school children, states that he is satisfied that the disease is only chickenpox and nothing more serious. Some cases of chickenpox occurred last month at the Bennetts School, and it has been rather prevalent in South Canterbury and Southland, but so far North Canterbury, with this exception, has escaped. TIMABU, July 15. The Hospital Board to-day discussed the Health Department’s circular letter, and decided to get a supply of lymph in readiness for any outbreak. The medical staff was instructed to exercise every care " One case of chickenpox (near Geraldine) is reported. MORE STRINGENCY DESIRED. NELSON, July 21. There is considerable adverse comment in Nelson owing to the regulation regarding the vaccination of passengers from the North Island not being enforced. Arriving passengefs report it to be purely optional, and many are coming across the strait unvacoinated. It is reported that a passenger arrived by the Pateena on Saturday who had come from the King Country and had not been asked either to submit to vaccination or to produce a certificate. The newspapers urge that greater stringency be observed, also that vaccinated persons be not allowed to travel until the lymph has had sufficient time to take effect. There is also some uneasiness on account of there being practically no lymph in the town for vaccination purposes. THE OTAGO DISTRICT. NO CAUSE FOR ALARM. Dr Champtaloup (District Health Officer) states that plenty of vaccine lymph is now available in Dunedin. So far nothing has come to his knowledge concerning the Otago district to cause the slightest alarm. Several cases of chickenpox have come under the notice of the local health authorities, but there is nothing in these outbreaks to warrant any uneasiness. Dr Ada Paterson (schools’ medical officer), who is assisting the Health Department, is paying particular attention to the disease, and is visiting the schools to see that the necessary precautions are taken when any case of chickenpox comes to her knowledge. Referring to the outbreak in the north, Dr Champtaloup savs he has received word that there are now 26 cases of smallpox in the Auckland Hospital and 20 other cases in the di.-.trict, but that all the patients have been hula ted. He says that the medical officers in the north have now had time to investigate and localise the outbreaks, and that he does not anticipate much, if any, extension of the disease. INTERCOLONIAL SERVICE. SHRINKAGE OF TRAFFIC. In consequence of the serious shrinkage in the intercolonial passenger traffic, due to the smallpox epidemic, the Union Company has decided to withdraw the big chartered steamer Willochra, which arrived at Sydney on the 2nd inst. Her return trip from New South Wales on July 26 has therefore been abandoned, and the Willochra will remain at Sydney for an indefinite period. In order to obviate inconvenience to passengers who may have hooked their passages to New Zealand by the Willochra for that trip they will have the option of travelling to Auckland by the Maheno, leaving Sydney on Wednesday next, or they may travel by the Niagara, leaving Sydney on the 28th. On arrival at Auckland southern passengers rnav travel to Wellington by steamer or may take the train at the Union Company's expense. The withdrawal of the Willochra at the present juncture will necessitate further changes, and these will be announced in due course. It is probable that the Warrimoo, which is now undergoing overhaul at Port Chalmers, will go into commission

again shortly, presumably in the intercolonial service. ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETED. In pursuance of the resolution passed at the meeting of local medical authorities held on Monday afternoon Dvs Champtaloup and Falconer and Mr «L H. met vesterdav and made arrangements whereby a building at the fever' Hospital can be utilised for at once placing a cases which may show a suspicion of sma - pox. All further details tor dealing with an outbreak in Otago have now been comPl Reconnection with the possibility of an outbreak. Dr Ada Paterson, Medicali Inspector of Otago schools, has been ato the local Public Health Department. NEW ZEALAND LYMPH. STATEMENT PA' DR VALTNTINE. WELLINGTON, July 21. Referring to the cablegram from Sydney stating that New Zealand lymph had proved ineffective, Dr Valmtine in oimed a Post representative that he could not understand how any New Zealand vaccine gut to Newcastle. The only vaccine sent from here was rent directed to the Public Health Department in Sydney m response to urgent demands from the authorities there. The only other supply secured was put in charge of Dr Makgdl to vaccinate people who went across in the boat with him. With reference to the effectiveness of New Zealand Ivmph. Dr Champtaloup states that he has treated a considerable number of cases during the past fortnight, and in every case the result has been satisfactory. Doth he and the local public vaccinators have been getting _ excellent results, and Dr Champtaloup naively adds that any information required may be readily had from those who have been treated.