THE PLAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 90, 20 April 1900, Page 3

THE PLAGUE.

QUEENSLAND OUTBREAK. (By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.] [per press association.] Received 19, 9.20 a.m. Brisbank, April 19. The Board of Health has decided that it is unnecessary to obtain a plague expert from India, tnere being plenty of competent local men. The cleansing of the whole city and suburbs is being pushed on as rapidly as possible. The bonus for rats has been renewed.

A WELCOME CHANGE. (Received 20, 1.15 a.m.) Sydney, April 19. There was no fresh case of plague to-day, the first free day since March 16th. The Government has been advised that 20,000 doses of plague serum were despatched from Colombo on the 14tb. NEW ZEALAND PRECAUTIONS. Wellington, April 19. The Government is appointing supervisors at each port to superintend the fumigation of vessels. Mr, W. H. Burns is appointed here. Sulphur fumes are believed to kill anything if applied long enough. A chemical known as farmolin will disinfect even delicate goods without damage, HSome interesting infoimation dealing with the bubonic plague supplied to the Government by the Vice-Consul foi Germany at Wellington is published in the Gazette to-night.

This afternoon the Hon. J. G. Ward received a telegram from the Government Sanitary Commissioners, who are in Auckland, as follows:—" We inspected the rubbish tip, and found it in a most disgraceful state. We would advise that it be at once burned up and a destructor immediately erected, or, if that cannot be done at once, that all manure be carried out to sea in lighters. We have arranged an interview with the Mayor of Auckland for to-morrow, when we will wire what he says re tip and pigs. The Harbour Board are helping us in every way, and are willing to do anything we suggest. A crematory ought at once to be erected in each of the large centres in ] case a death from plague should occur. As slight wounds or abrasions of the hands of lumpers may be readily the means of inlet for the bacillus, printed instructions ought to be posted up at all wbarves,advisingthem to thoroughly disinfect by means of carbolic acid. Further, in order to prevent inoculation by means of fleas, lumpers should not work with uncovered arms, and their trousers should be tucked intu their boots. We are experimenting at to the best means of destroying rats in ships and on wharves." Auckland, April 19.

The cargo steamer Fernfield arrived from Sydney, and went into quarantine till Monday. The Mayor has received word that the Howick beach is strewn with ratsupposed to have been drowned it attempting togwim ashore from vcsselb l amigated in quarantine. Dunedin, April 19,

The brig Fairy Rock (from Dover, Tasmania) and the baiquentine Frank Guy (from Maryborough, Queensland) were ordered into quarantine to have their cargo fumigated. This, with tht brigantine Rotamab (from Bundaberg) and the Tarawera and Waikare, made five vessels flying the yellow flag. Tht Waikare was admitted to pratique this evening, her time having expired. "* AN UNFOUNDED RUMOUR. Dukedin, April 19. Reports appear to have been circulated in the north that a case of plague had occurred iu Dunedin. There i<not a vestige of truth in the report Telegrams were received yesterday from Timaru making inquiry, and to-day from Ohristcburcb, as to an alleged cafe in Dunedin. Evidently some person going north is working up a scare. The Mayor tbinkß that Dunedin is tbe most unlikely centro in the colony to be a tacked.

Passengers from the Waikare were released from quarantine to-day and landed this evening. Dr. Batcbelor, the well-known medico, who was a passenger, thinks (jiidraiiiiuing an entire mistake, and should be put an end to.

It has been decided to dispense with the process of fumigating the sailing vessels which arrived yesterday and the day before from Queensland and Tasmania.