PLAGUE TIME IN AUCKLAND.

Dominion, Issue 1337, 15 January 1912, Page 4

PLAGUE TIME IN AUCKLAND.

RATS TO BE HARRIED. Desiring to profit by tho experiences of the past, tho Mayor of Auckland (Mr. C. J. Parr) is particularly anxious to try and counteract any possibility of an outbreak of plague in Auckland this vcar. "Wo have bad it with us 'in the autumn months for 6ome few years past," ho said to an Auckland reporter; "last year's outbreak being tho worst. For tho past six months, thanks to the vigorous campaign against rats and an improving state of cleanliness wo have luckily boon quite clear of tho plague. However, tho dangerous months are now at hand—February, March, and April." Mr. Parr considers that in view of tho great damage done to the whole community from sources both at home and abroad by the occurrence of oven a single caso of plague that no efforts should bo spared to keep the city free from tho reproach of plague infection. "I would, therefore,'' he said, "appeal to citizens to combine with us iu making war against tho rats, which unfortunately aro still plentiful." Mr. Purr said he was in communication willi the chairman of the Harbour Hoard (Mr. J. 11. Gunson), for tho purpose of securing co-operation by making the homo for the shipping rat as uncomfortable as possible. He remarked that in Sydney the Health authorities assured him that most danger in regard to plaguo outbreaks arose from tho rats on tho shore front. Tho same doubtless applied in Auckland. Ho suggested that residents should systematically lay poison and keep all food in rat-proof receptacles. By so doing ho believed that any further scare would be avoided.