MINISTER AND MAYOR

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15678, 2 December 1918, Page 2

MINISTER AND MAYOR

PROTEST BY AUCKLAND PEOPLE. AGAINST INTERFERENCE BT MINISTER. Tf (Per United Tress Association.) AUCKLAND, November 30. A special meeting of the City Council, at which a number of citizens were present, including the Hospital Board, passed the following resolution; “We desire to protest in the strongest manner, against the most unwarrantable attack •on tbe Mayor of Auckland by the Minister of Public Health, as published in the morning papers. We unhesitatingly say that the Mayor has, in the face of very serious difficulties, had only one duty before him—the preservation of the health of the community, and the strengthening of the hands of _Dr Frengley against the interference of the Minister, when that officer took such steps as he considered necessary to protect the inhabitants of the city and district. We regret that the Minister, in his telegram to the Mayor, evidently forgot that he was a Minister of the Crown, by the nature of the language used, which was unworthy of a Cabinet Minister. We protest against the unfounded ..charges against the Mayor and Corporation of alleged civic negligence, incompetence, and mismanagement, leading to the deaths of a large number of citizens. We believe we are speaking the minds of the whole population when we say that his Worship’s reputation for ability and devotion to duty stands very high in this city and province. “We desire to record our unabated confidence in the Mayor, and endorse his actions in doing all he can to prevent the berthing of the Makura, if she is an infected ship, and we demand the withdrawal of. the telegram by the Minister, or, if not, that Parliament set up a commission to inquire into the truth of the charges made by ihe Minister.” After the meeting, three members of the Hospital Board waited on Mr Heather, chairman of the Harbour Board, who is indisposed, requesting that in the event of any sickness at all on the Makura, the ship be not berthed by the Harbour officers. The chairman agreed, and instructed the Harbourmaster that if the ship be found to have sickness on board she be not berthed in any circumstances. THE MAKURA ARRIVES, QUARANTINED FOR SEVEN DATS. AUCKLAND, November 1. The Makura arrived from Vancouver at 7 a.m., anchoring in the quarantine anchorage, where ehe was inspected by Dr Frengley and Dr Russell (Port Health Officer) and Dr Hughes (District Health Officer). Afterwards they conferred with the Mayor and the Citizens Committee with respect to the vessel’s future movements. It was decided that the vessel he quarantined for seven days. No further information is available pending an official statement by Dr Frengley. The Mayor states that the Citizens’ Committee is satisfied with Dr Frengley’s arrangements. As the Makura’s mails total 2600 bags, fumigation will take several days. Dr Frengley stated yesterday that there was no influenza on board. There were five cases of measles, which had recovered. The last case was left in hospital at Suva. It is not known whether the case was or was not a passenger for Suva. The influenza position is practically normal. Patients are being rapidly discharged from the temporary hospitals, two of which will be closed towards the end of the week. WELLINGTON, December 1. The Secretary of the G.P.O. is advised that the Makura anchored 2G miles from Motuihi, Auckland. Influenza is on hoard amongst the crew. The vessel goes into quarantine. The mails will be fumigated and brought ashore.