MANY CASES AMONG CREW.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15040, 7 April 1919, Page 5

MANY CASES AMONG CREW.

STRINGENT QUARANTINE".

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, April 5. The, Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of Health) states that as more cases of influenza on the Niagara have been reported, it has been decided tha% all the members of the crew who can be removed <rom the ship are.to be put ashore at Motuihi Island, and also the whole of the New Zealand passengers, and as many other passengers as accommodation can be provided for, will be put on. ithe island. The remaining passengers •will be required to go to the island and return to the ship for the evening meal and sleeping accommodation. Instruei tion has also been given that members of I the crew remaining on the ship are to be grouped.and given increased accommodation if necessary. The accommodation, for second-class and.even firstclass passengers is to be commandeered for that purpose. ! The position in regard to the Niagara will depend to some extent as to whe- I ther the Westmoreland, with Maori troops on 'board is declared a clean ship on arrival. "Wireless messages indicate that she is. so at present, but no definite conclusion can be come to until the health officers inspect the crew and passengers on arrival at Auckland. The above conveys the decision of the Chief Health Officer (Dr. Valintine), which was. submitted to the Minister and approved, by him. The Minister added that the fact that as on this!,' occasion the, disease is con-fined.-almost exclusively to the quarters occupied.;by the crew indicates that this was the "danger part of the ship. Health officers have been instructed that yery careful inquiry is to be made as to the accommodation provided for the crew, and/that if necessary the assistance of the Marine Department is to be sought in .order that a definite decision on scientific, grounds may be obtained as to whether the accommodation provided is adequate, in view of the fact that epidemics are in the air.

Late this afternoon Mr Russell informed a "Post" reporter that a telegram had been- received from Auckland indicating that nine more cases of influenza had occurred on the Niagara, making the total 33.

Auckland, April o. A watersiders' meeting passed a resolution not to work. The Niagara until seven days after the last case of influenza. They ask the authorities not to berth the vessel earlier.