RAT MENACE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16822, 30 May 1919, Page 11

RAT MENACE.

PIRECAUTIOiNS NEEDED. ! . i. i -, Sneaking of the rat menace in AuckWellington the Minister of Public Health, Mr Russell, said:—The position is that as far back as 1911 regulations were gazetted to prevent or check the spread of plague by rats. Ihese regulations have not at any time hitherto been brought into operation but they " will be enforced now! Amongst the recommendations for dealing with the rat plague are the following :—bteps will be taken continuously to secure rats for examination as to the presence or absence of the plague bacillus. More particularly will attention be paid to rats found in and around the wharves of the principal ports of rsew Zealand, and at all times in any places where an unexplained mortality among rates is reported. The District Health Officers will get int o touch with Harbour Boards in their districts, advising them of the need of taking steps to destroy rats in sheds and buildings on their wharves, if possible, and the pulling down of old or .f?* Ed buildl *£s, and the erection « buildings on rat-proof foundations. Xhis has been most effective at New Orleans, m America, in eradicating the rat plague. Another requirement is that masters of ships, both coastal and oversea shall be required to produce . a certificate that their ships have been subjected to anti-rat fumigation when the holds were empty within the past six months, and that in cases where no such certificate can be produced, steps be taken forthwith to destroy rats on board the ship. Harbour Boards will W oi+ww t0 "Wf I™*' 1 ™*' the District ££Sw °% IC ?™ **•?"* earliest Possible moment of the existence or suspicion of sickness or unexplained mortality among rats on the wharves. In the case of ships found to have plague rats on board the D strict HealthOffiSrs wall exercise their full powers under the quarantine regulations/