RETURN OF THE WILLOCHRA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2772, 16 May 1916, Page 4

RETURN OF THE WILLOCHRA

THE SUSPECTED CASE OF SMALLPO3 . By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, May 15. • This morning .all the troops on tha Willochra were transferred' to Quarantine Island, the patients previously acconu modatod there being placed olsewhere. The master aud crew remain on. tho ship, anchored in tho 6trc&m. It is understood the suspected case oi smallpox is that of an Otago infantry. man, whoso nest-of-kia reside at Carterton. Tho proposal to use Quail Island has been abandoned. Later. The Willochra came to Port Chaltnen this afternoon, and > was moored between the George Street and Bowen Piers. Another case of smallpox : developed l today. It. has been decided to place 233 invalided soldiers on Quarantine Island to-morrow. The sick men on the island were removed ■to other quarters to-day, The two smallpox patients will be isolated in a small building, and the rest oi the men in the quarantine buildings. One of tho medical officers on the ship and five nurses will also be placed on the island. The crew will be quarantined on . the vessel. Other medical officers will stay on board, as it is imperative that the ship be put into commission as sdon as possible. The crew will be employed getting her ready for sea. A number or carpenters will be engaged to assist tho cre.w... They will, b? vaccinated, and trill have to remain oh'board. The period of quarantine will last at least fourteen days. A soldier who is seriously ill waa brought to Dunedin Hospital to-day. All precautions have been taken to prevent a chance of contagion. DISPOSAL OF THE MEN, A NEW. ARRANGEMENT. Tho arrangements for the housing _of the Willochra contacts during their period of quarantine until all danger of tha spread of smallpox has disappeared have been slightly varied.', The Minister oi Public Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell? stated yesterday that the idea of putting . some of the men on Quail Island, in Lyfc. telton Harbour, had teen abandoned, anc ' that now all the men would be. put on. Quarantine Island in Otago Harbour.'lha buildings there nro not large enough to accommodate them all, but it has been decided to erect, with tho assistance of the "Union Company, enough suitable tents on the island to 'take all the men. The tents will bo.made,as comfortable ao possible, floored with timber, and lined two feet from the gronnd. The crew of tho vessel, numbering 97, will remain ou board,

Information was received by the Minis--ter'of Public Health last evening that a third case of smallpox from the V> Ulochra had developed, and had beer, removed to the quarantine station. All the men are being Te-vacoinated. J.heir general health is stated to be good. In the case of each of the patients the relatives havo been communicated with.