QUARANTINE ARRANGEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 3447, 10 March 1874, Page 3

QUARANTINE ARRANGEMENTS.

To the Editor, —There is au ancient and respectable story about an Irishman who succeeded in gaining a situation as coachman in a nobleman’s family in preference to many other more skilful competitors for the post. The test question that was put to all the candidates! for Jehu’s office was—“ Supposing that you were driving me along close to the edge pf a precipice, how neap yvqujd yqn go to the pnnk without endangeringtny safety ?” We are told that one said within two feet, another within'one, while a third declared that ho could drive with one half of the rim of the wheel projecting over the precipice, and the other on Jinn ground. ‘ The applicant who was successful, however, is said to have given this reply—?* Indeed, your honor, I would keep as.far from-the edge as possible.” We have ho right to complain of the conduct of the Board of Health ; the members of it appear to be doing their work effectually, if •We judge .from the Success of their efforts to keep out-measles and scarlet fever frowOtago, As you said a few-days ago, the Province is* very deeply indebted to them for the skill and care which they have displayed. At the same time there would appear to be fio valid ■ reason why hints and suggestions Should not be given by those who think that they are able to throw any light on this subject of preventing the introduction of the two diseases mentioned above. At present 1 would ask the members of the Board whether they do not think that they are driving a little too close to the precipice ?” Had it nqt been for the merest accident, one days difference of time, the little boy who Was taken ill with the scarlet fever, on Fri day, at the Quarantine Island, would have been Ahe cause of introducing the disease into Dunedin on Saturday, the day when the Mongol B_paßseng er ß were to have been reBakewell in the columns of one of your contemporaries, aiid ‘ allgw at least a

clear fortnight to elapse from death or convalescence in the case of the last _ patient in any given ship before admit ing her to pratique ? This, of course, will cost something extra, merchants may have to wait an additional time for their goods, the immigrants may become impatient, a few people may grumble. But all these things are mere trifles when compared with the importance of preventing or warding off danger to the lives of our children. The Board of H, alth may be sure of this, that whatever may be the stringency of the measures they adopt to keep out the diseases above alluded to, they will have the hearty sympathy and support of the vast majority of the people of the Province.—l am, &c., TIGILO, Dunedin, March 10.