QUARANTINE OF THE MALTA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 106, 29 January 1919, Page 5

QUARANTINE OF THE MALTA

■ ki .--, —«— —— ' TO BERTH THIS MORNING. All manner of rumoura wore in circulation in the city_ yesterday respectbg epidemic cases on the P. and 0. transport Malta, still in the stream. One yfiry persisbeiit rumour -was that the disease in.a serious form had developed,! and that it -had been found necessary to qiiarantine the vessel for at least a fortnight;. ' This -proved to be entirely v without foundation. ' Dr. Watt, District Health Officer, and Dr. Martindale Kendall, Port-Health Officer, were on board the vessel for the greater ■ part of yesterday making aa investigation into eases of sickness of any kind whatsoever, ffhere was subsequently a conference ashore, after which the transport wae given her clearance. ' Immediately that S was done the Base Records staff went on' board the traneport to "board" the .men in-the usual way. Tins wflrk will be . finished in time to allow of the Maltabeing borthed at the King's Wharf at 8.30 a.m. to-day. The Rarotongan Contingent, among which light cases of pneumonia, developed on the trip of the Malta- from Australia, are at present comfortably housed on Somes Island, nnil are receiving medical attention.' Up till the present, it is stated, there is no-reason to suppose that the outureak among the Islanders will develop into the virulent type of disease. ; . . . A statement was made by the Minister of Health (the. Hon. G. W. Russell) yesterday regarding: the troopship Malta, . now in port. f The Minister said: "This mornin" Dr. Watt, District Health Officer for Wellington, and Dr. Kendall, Port Health Officer, visited the Malta, and made a { . thorough examination.- They discovered lone ease only, that of a Lascar, a member of- the crew, who showed a temperature, but as his case did not indicate influenza in any. form, the Chief Health Officer reported to me that it was desirable that the quarantine on the ship should be removed. This has been done. Officers of the Defence Department went on board the shin this afternoon for the . .purpose of clearing tho. men, and the ship is expected to tie berthed at midday if iio further complications have developed in the'meantime. ■-. "A report was received from Dr. Ghesson, District Health Officer at Christchurch, to-day that the Briton, which has arrived at Lyttelton, is also reported to have had-a few slight cases of influenza onboa-rd, r.trie of them showing pneumonia indications, and she also las been released from quarantine, the cases and all contacts with'them-being Jtald for further treatment." THE TRANSPdRT BRITON. MEN TO DISEMBARK. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, January 28. The transport Briton was placed in quarantine for twenty-four hours, there being two definite cases of mild influenza on hoard. An inhalation chamber has ■ been installed on the ship, and the vessel lias been thoroughly fumi-jated. On Saturday morning the ship's principal medical officer (Major W. S. Sinclair) died from heart failure following upon epilepsy, mid he was buried at sea the same day. The- health of the troops on board has been good on the whole. ' There are t ten light'hospital cases suffering from suppurating wounds, etc.; but, beyond the influenza cases, there are no infeetitms diseases. It is hoped to disembark the men to-morrow morning. THE WILTSHIRE DRAFT. Base Records advise that Returned Draft 210 (ss.-Wiltshire) has cleared Australia, and will arrive at Welington on the afternoon of Thursday, January 30. . - DRAFT ARRIVES AT LYTTELTON. By Telegraph—Press Association Christchurch, January 38. The Briton .with a large draft of returning soldiers arrived at Lyttelton to- ■ day, anchoring just inside the heads. The vessel has 'been held for fumigation] and disembarkation has been postponed till to-morrow. The Defence authorities advise that the Marama is expected to berth at Taranaki Street Wharf at about 7.30 o'clock this morning. , "Blessed are the.Hiipninpss-makers." —Henry Ward Beecher. s Because of the good health—and with good health, happiness—that ■ it has brought, Baxter's Lung Preserver stands out as a Happiness-maker. Whether you are suffering from oough. cold, sore .throat, or,cheet trouble, take Baiter's. It will brinjr relief promptly and mirely. '.Order large 3a, 6d. bofm- J *Ad.Tt. j