THE YELLOW FLAG.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1833, 20 August 1913, Page 7

THE YELLOW FLAG.

HOISTED ON S.S. DELPHIC. LINER PUT OUT IN STREAM. THE SHORE GANGS. INOCULATED & SET FREE, The unusual sight of a big overseas vessel lying alongside a city wharf and Aiding the dread yellow flag 'was witnessed at Wellington yesterday. The Shaw! Savill, and Albion liner Delphic, moored at Jervois Quay, had been declared infected with smallpox, and rigid quarantine had been imposed. No one was allowed to leave the vessel, and all those who sought to board her were warned that if they did so they ran the risk of a lengthy stay 011 board. On tho previous day, na was recorded in yesterday's Dominion, a member of tho crew had been ■ found to bo suffering frorii smallpox. "When the case was dinsnosed the ship had been in port for some hours, and the work of unloading and coaling lmd been commenced. Tho smallpox patient—a quarter-master who had been shipped at Auckland, to fill a vacancy caused by an arrest for cargobroaching—had been ashore for some time. Feeling unwell, ho visited tho surgery of Dr. Henry, and, it is stated, waited thoro for some time beforo 110 was seen by tho doctor. Dr. Henry immediately diagnosed his disorder as smallpox,! and had him removed to the Isolation Hospital. The Health Department was notified, and ordered-that tlio vessel be quarantined. A police guard was requisitioned, and was maintained' until the vessel finally left tho wharf yesterday afternoon. Detained Waterslders Complain. Some hardship was imposed on tlio wharf-labourers who were engaged in tlio work of unloading and coaling the vessel at tho time when <1, state of quarantine was declared. There wore 29 labourers concerned, and the announcement that they would not be allowed to land naturally came to them as a great surprise, but the law was of "the Medes and Persians,". and they were forced to stay on board oil night, and a good deal of yesterday. There was not accommodation 011 such a. large ■number of •unexpected visitors, and consequently there was not a little discomfort. It is assorted by the labourers who had to remain on board tho vessel that they "had to walk tho deck all night," and that they were not provided with sufficient food. It. was only when they applied to their union that tlicry wero supplied with a satisfactory breakfast. Reluctant to "Baro Their Arms." Whatever the cause there is no doubt that when the health officers presented themselves at tho ship yesterday ' morning their _ reception was' anything but enthusiastic. Dr. Pollen arrived early to inspect tho ship and vaccinate those -on board it. Ho was followed later by Dr. Chesson, district health officer. The advent of tlio medical moil was the signal for a good deal of "trouble." The whar.f-liibonrcrß had grievances, and when tho working man has a grievance nothing else matters.Sorrows had to be poured forth and 001117 plaints inquired into before a single arm would be bared to the needle. There.was a' great deal of argument, one way 'and another.

On one point, however, the health officers were insistent—<wid they "held tlio winning hand"—the labourers must, be vaccinated before they could go ashore. At 1 p.m. three, men submitted to the ordeal; and were given their liberty. Several others, held out, wishing themselves and all their friends numerous calamities if they would submit, but by 1.40 p.m. the last' of them had surrendered, and 'Dr.- Pollen came ashore, his present task completed. The conditions on which the labourers wero allowed to lenvo the ship wero. that they should submit themselves to vaccination, and that every member of the household in which they are living should also bo vaccinated. The Public Health Department is taking steps to eco that the latter part of the compact is being adhered to.

■ The Six Days' Solitude. The ship was finally cleared at 1.45 p.m., and an hour later she cast off from the , wiharf and steamed to the farther sido of Somes Island, where she will lie during her period of quarantine.. Several members of tlio orew have not yet been vaccinated, and Dr. Pollen will go out to tho vessel this morning to operate on them. The period of quarantine is not definitely determined, but it will extend over about six days--until vaccination has "taken" successfully on all members of the orew. State of the Patient. Inquiry at the hospital last evening elicited the fact that tho patient, who is an'inihate of the infectious diseases ward, is progressing' satisfactorily. Hig disease is considered to be one of genuine smallpox, but not in its most serious form. Tho symptoms aro very much Jiko those of Luropoans who have contracted the prevalent disease in the north. The other caso in tho infectious diseases ward—that of a young woman who was a housemaid in the residence of a northern member of Parliament—is reported to .be convalescent. It is hoped that this patient will bo able to leave the hospitaj to-day. Waterside Wit. 1 There was a good deal of what is called "fun". on the wharf yesterday morning while tho Delphic'lav alongside. A largo number of wharf labourers who had no work to do gntliered on Jorvois Quay and gazed through tho gates at their unfortunate brethren imprisoned on board tho vessel: Somo of the remarks which flew from wharf to, ship were characteristic. One of the "free" men suggested to tlmse on shipboard that they had a great opportunity for a game. of "two-up." "No, thanks," was tho, response, wo have a box of dominoos aboard." Another worker, with his feet solidly planted .on torra firma, susgasted. that those on board tho ship should sing a couple of verses of "A Life on tho Ocean Wave." The laughter of iris companions was silenced by tho quick retort, "Youso 'blokes' loolcs all right-behind bars, any'ow." Ono of the men on board called out, "What do you think of tho yellow flag we're sailing under?" Tho reply was, "You should have stuck to tho old led flag. Where's your 'square dtjil' now?" There was evidently some difference of political opinion between questioner and answerer, ■end tlio crowd enjo.Ved it. For some liours it seemed as if all those on board wero destined to spend several days in quarantine, and some .solicitude was expressed for the comfort of tlio wharf labourers. I Their friends brought down supplies of . tobacoo, cigarettes, and matches, which wero hoisted in a coal-basket. During' ono of the hoists the baskot came adrift, a.nd the "cargo" was distributed over tho wharf, to the great delight of the spectators. Tho decision that the labourers could go ashore on lieing vaccinated was a great surprise to "all; and tho first men to leave the t%ip were greeted with cheers by the waiting cawd. The Liner Sent Out to the Stream. With tho yellow flag flying at tho head of tho foremast, tho big White Star boat went out into the stream at 3 p.m. yesfer,. and about half an hour . later sho dropped anchor .between Pomes Isltvml iimt Petone, and hero sho will remain for six days at least. It is seldom if ever nowadays that tho yellow flag is used jn New Zealand waters. Tho usual flag in

"health" rases is a blue one, and that only on occasions when vessels requiro tho Port Health Otlicor. far examination purposes. Captains of strange steamers who have como to New Zealand ports have been known to fly tho yellow ting when requiring tho services of 4 medical officer, and this flag is used in practically every part of tho world save Now Zealand. In our waters a ship flying yellow is in quarantine, but a vessel flying bluo is supiiosod merely to want n. doctoT. When tho Delphic arrived in port from London, via Auckland, on Sunday, sho had COfl tons of general cargo to put out here. About 400 tons hod been discharged by 5 .p.m. on Monday, and it was anticipated that tho remaining 200 tons would have bana jut out .xcatomat, (fjijs .was

not done, however, and when the Delphio is released from quarantine, blio will have - to conio alongside again to complete "die-*.!' charge l>eforo proceeding to Lyttelton and tlio Muff. From the latter port the liner goes to Newcastle to load coal for tho West Coast of South America.

What the Delay Means to the Ship. Concerning . this proceeding,, a Sydney paper eajs:. •• ■ ■ •• "Ono of tho most unusual "charters announced for «omii time past io lliut. of tho steamer Delphic. She is ono of the -Shaw, Savill, and .Albion fleet, the steamers of which aro not altogether unknown in Australian waters, out mainly assist in maintaining the regular cuinmunicalinti botwewi t|i« United Kingdom and New Zealand. On some_ occasions 0110 of them has visited Newcastle, but tho visits aro so infrequent that when ono of them is in port her presenco is regarded ill the light of extraordinary. But never licforc has a S.S. and A. liner called' tu load ft fiill wirgo of coal for the West Coast of South America, as the 'Delphic will do; consequently! hor approaching visit will bo put down as remarkable to Bay tho least of it."

It will bo seen from tho above thut on account of the Delphic having been quarantined at Wellington a somewhat serioui delay is involved, 'and it is'not unlikely that her charter to the West Coast of South America will be affected. Part of Wharf Isolated. That portion of Jervoio Quay Wharf where tho Delphic was berthed was isolated up till 3 p.m. yesterday. All tho Blu?ds were closed, and no cargo was delivered from them till the hour men;. tioned. Everywhere tlicro was a strong smell of disinfectant, and men V3T& t<» be'seen sprinkling carbolic; fluid over the wharves in tho vicinity. A barrier had. been erected on tho wliarf, and tho gates situated near the boating eheds wero locked. A Wharf telephone Under the Ban. The lessee of tlio wharf lwoksta.ll informed a reporter that tho publio telephone in his building had been "isolated." It appears that some of the crow of tho Delphic had used this partioulaT telephono on Monday, and after ho had r licard of the smallpox outbreak on board' ho' had looked tho room. His action was endorsed by the authorities, and the l'ooms and instrument havo been: thoroughly fumigated. THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN. Tho official bulletin issued by tho Department of Public Health at's'p.m. yesterday shows that tho only caso reported during tho last two days was that 011 board tlio Delphic. Tho bulletin was as! follows;—" The District Health Officer,! Auckland {Dr. Monk) reports:— , \ "No fresh oases,-have been reported in / Auckland since .'-yesterday's report,- ,'ahdj 110 fresh cases are reported'from the coufi-.' try districts. The cases reported from ( Onewhero yesterday wero found, on in- 1 vestigation, to bo cases previously reported. Tho District Health Officer,. Wellington (Dr. .Chesson) reports having removed to the Isolation jHospital, Wellington, last night, a sailor from s.s. Delphic, who' was rooently a resident at the Sailors' Home, Auckland. Tlio s.s. Del- 1 pliie has been ordered into quaratine, and steps havo been taken, and aro being continued, to insure tho vaccination and surveillance of all contacts with tho caso. Stops have also boon taken to inyestigato any suspicious illness in tho Sailors' ilome, Auckland." . Vaccination Fee»., ' The Minister for Publio Health' is to' be asked by Mr. Isitt, M.P., in tlio House of' Representatives, whether ho h aware that 011 arrival of tho San Francisco boat on Saturday a demand of 10s. Gd. from passengers was mado by doctors for vac-, .dilation, and it was with difficulty that a cei-tain number' of - them obtained vaccination at the luind of Mr. Brittain, a local chemist, at the usual fee of 2s. Gd.; and whether he will take steps to see that 110 similar difficulty occurs again, SYDNEY'S EPIDEMIC. FATHER FINED .£3O FOR FAILURfI ; TO REPORT. . By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (llec. August 19, 8.5 p.m.) Sydney, August 19. The first prosecution arising from thl smallpox epidemic occurred to-day, when a man was lined .£3O for failing to report that his son was infected. PATIENT'S ROAMINGS. HIS PRESENCE IN OFFICES.. Sir,—With regard to tho smallpox out» break 011 tlio Delphic, I understand the patient - was roaming the streets yesterday afternoon; and also that he was for a period of from 15 to 30 minutes in the money order branch of tho post office. Now, sir, I would like to ascertain what steps the Health Department have token as regards this public What , of the clerks and pooplo brought into con- , tact with him there? Ho would be using, tlio publio counters and pens. Should J not some'warning liote be issued to people, l who were doing business there at' tho ( time? Tho hour'could be ascertained, from tho officials who, I understand, noticed tho man, but failed to take any steps 111 reporting the same, Tho fact of vaccinating the clerks only, who handled the man's-business is.. to my mind, no safeguard whatever. What of tho other people's business they (the clerks) handled .after tho man had left? Has tho office! been fumigated? If so, how long after; the man had taen there? , A warning! should bo issued in tho dailies to those, people'who did business at tho post office at the time, and since this smallpox pa-; tic-nt was there. Surely tlieso steps, will bs taken for tho public safety?—l am,' cto " ' Precaution. v Wellington, August 19, 1913.