PLAGUE RATS.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9619, 23 April 1900, Page 2

PLAGUE RATS.

It is a subject for regret that raits infected with the bubonic plague should; have been found on; the Auckland wharf. The report of Dr Mason and Mr Gilruth should have the effect of increasing the activity of the campaign against rats, and demonstrates the necessity for exterminating the vermin without delay. This is by no means an easy task, and in consequence of the übiquitous rats having practically taken charge of the country, and being found in every conceivable spot, it may be said to be almost impossible of achievement. It is possible, however, with a judicious use of arsenid of other deadly poison, and a,n extensive system of traps, to greatly lessen the number of these dangerous. rodents. It would be advisable for the Harbor Board to take steps to prevent the landing of rats from the steamers and sailing craft a.t the wharves. The plague rat has been the cause of the outbreak of plague in Sydney, and it is the duty of the municipal and harbor authorities here, to guard against its: introduction, by taking such precautionary measures! as may be considered best calculated to be effective.

■ TV -day Vine St.. GeoTge's day, the looa] bodies and Warden's offices and Banks are closed. The Terranora -will leave Thames at micU night to-night. The Wakatere's trip advertise! for tostnorrow is cancelled. The annual meeting of householders for the cV otion of sohool committees will be held this evening. .M», Thomas "W. Milnes, well»known to Thamesites. and whr> has been for twnty* four years in the employ of Mr M, Whitehead, announces that he has commenced business as a practical bootmaker in the pre* mines next to Mr P. Norbu y's, Pollen street. Mr Milnes makes a specialty of hand-sewn boots snd repair?, and solicits a share of pub'io patronage. At the last meetingl of the Presbytery, Sydney, a Chinese elder from the Chinese Church, Sydney, took his seat. The Bank of Eng'and official* estimate there ure 865 tons of gold coin in oirculntion in the world.

The Mayor of Prrt Adelaide protests against the int"rment of plague victims on Torre?-s Island, which is near the port. The popular sporting ru- a, Mr O. G. Stead, haa succeeded in winning the C JO. Champagne Stakes eleven times—the last eight in succession. Bis victorious horses were : Trentcn, Maxim,' Medallion, Strown, Blue Fire, Mannlicher. Bombshell, Multiform, Altair, Screw ftunand Formosan.

For the past few days a rumour has i xisted that Mr J J. Holland intended retiring from thfi City content in favour of Mr ,T. K. ■Withelord so as not to split the Liberal vote, but so far no withdrawal *>as been announced. —Auckland correspondent.

Yesterday morning the Thames Naval Band presentrd Captain W. H. Potts, in command of the Thames Havals with a handsome case of pipes, appropriately inscribed. The presentation was made by Bandmaster Q. Q-. Smith, who referred to Captain Potts' past and present services in grat'ful terms. Capt. Potts suitably replied.

In Nelson the other day, one of the City Councillors was fined for allowing water to •run to waste. He pleaded that at the time this was happening he was at a meeting of the City Council. The German trade with Great Britain in toys alone amounts to over two millions sterlingA fifteen year old pirl named Let* Fogg was remanded at bydney recently on two cbarge3 of housebreaking.

A consignment of red door stags and hinds has been forwarded to the Southland Acclimatisation Society, from Nelson. The death rate in the French army is nearly six fcim<;s as high as that in the British.

Tho Czar's military household is composed of 98 officers of ,various ranks The army furnishes 82 and the navy tho balance. Speoial purchu.Be of flannelotcs just oppnol up at the Beehive. New goods at lowi at cash prices. A. Court direct Importer—o AdvtJohn Colligan, aged 79, had both his legs cut off by an Adelaide tramcar and died immediately after the accident. A girl named Ellen Dawaon, owed a few shillinus to a Christclmrch diaper. This i so preyed on her mind that she drowned herself in a well. At the inquest the jury recommended that the public should be compelled to cover the wells up so as to guard against accident or suicide.