DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 36, 5 October 1912, Page 7

DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

COOK ISLANDS. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, October 4. Matters connected with the Cook Islands were referred to by the Hon. , Dr. Pomare in conversation with a reporter to-day. At the outset he said that he wished to deny the “startling rumours of the spread of leprosy in the Islands.” He said that there were about 35 cases of leprosy in the Cook Islands, but there were other Islands in ' the Pacific which were worse in this respect, and where there were probably 20 cases to every one in the Cook Islands. All the patients wore isolated, and they were in no way a danger to other people. “It was also stated,” lie continued, “that lepers are handling fruit at llaratongn, which is shipped to New Zealand; but I can only characterise this as absolutely false., They are never near fruit, and to say; that fruit is contaminated, and this has been said, is absurd. They arc isolated from everything, and are not the menace they are alleged to he.” Referring to the administration of the Cook Islands, Dr, Pomare said that it had been decided- to have another report made on affairs at the Islands, and Judge McCormick, who is acting as resident Commissioner, has been instructed to draw up a report. LEPROSY. Christchurch, October 4. The number of lepers in Now Zealand has decreased from five to two, and three patients, two Europeans, arc still confined at Quail Island. In conversation with a reporter to-day, the Hon. Dr. Pomare, Native Representative in the Cabinet, said that some time ago there were four patients on the Island, two Europeans and two natives, but the natives had been cured and had left the Island, while the fifth sufferer, a Maori woman, died a few days ago. Dr. Pomare said that all the latest methods of treatment were being adopted at Quail Island.