THE RAT MENACE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 207, 27 May 1919, Page 5

THE RAT MENACE

AUTHORITIES TAKING ACTION

TO COMPEL DESTRUCTION

Prom some parts of N§jv Zealand reports, have come to the Publio Health Department regarding the existence of a rat pest. Instructions were given to the Department by the Minister to prc- , pare a report regarding, tho measures that ought to be token to destroy rats. The Minister made a statement on tho ... subject yesterday. "The position is," said Mv. ■ liussell, "that as far baok as 1911 regulations wero gazetted to prevent or check the spread of plaguo by rats. These- regulations have not at any time hitherto been brought into operation, but they are to be brought into force now. Amongst the recommendations for dealing with the rat plague are the_ following "Steps will - be faken. continuously to secure rats for examinajjpn as to the presence or absence of tiie plague bacil-« hs. Morel particularly will attention be paid to rate found, in and around tho wharves of the principal ports of New Zealand, and at all tinier in any plaoes where an unexplained mortality , among rats is reported. ■ The' district health officer will get into touch with harbourboards in their districts advising them of the need for taking steps to destroy rats in sheds and buildings on the wharves, advising alsq the rat-proofing of- all buildings on their wharves if possible, and the pulling down of old or rat-infested buildings, and the erection of buildings with rat-proof' foundations. This has been most effective at New Orleans, in America, in eradicating the rat plague." Another requirement iB that masters of ships, both coastal auH overseas, sha'll produco a certificate that their ships have been, subjected to anti-rat fumigation, when the-holds were empty, the S past six months, and that in cases where -no such certificate can be produced steps be take,n forthwith todestroy rats on board the ship. Harbour boards will be required to acquaint the' district health .officers at the earliest possible moment of the existence or suspicion of sickness or unex- , plained mortality among rats on the wharves.' In the case of ships found to have plague rats on board, the district health officers will exercise . their full powers under the quarantine regulations. "This action is being taken," said the Minister, "in consequence of attention being drawn, to. reports that have come from Auckland and Wellington as to tho existence 'of something in ,the nature of a rat menaoe. It is hoped that with the assistance, of the' local authorities active steps will be taken to deal with this pressing danger." \ 1 1