The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 7, 1902. RATS—IMPORTED.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 436, 7 June 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 7, 1902. RATS—IMPORTED.

'Die people of Gisborne were naturally very pleased to learn that a rtealner like the Balmain, from Newcasile hiid, been brought into the river, hut there is one serious phase of the question that demands public attention. '1 he steamer comes from a quarter where the plague has been rife ; an I made a good passage across. There is no outward manifestation that would give any reason to fear the introduction of the plague, but there is reason to fear that trouble may ensue if Newcastle rats are allowed to land in Gisborne. That rats are coining ashore from the steamer I almain in broad daylight was attested yesterday afternoon by quite a number of eye-witnesses. On the ordinary ropes there is provision made that may satisfy some people, though it is laughed at by many. But the special rope referred to was the painter ny which the small I oat was attached. One rat that was seen to come ashore yesterday afternoon is described as the largest that the spectators ever saw. II came down the line a distance, then jumped into the water, and swam under the wharf,, where it is known that rats swarm. It is not suggested that that there was any plague about that particular rat or about any of the other ones that came ashore, hut there is a real danger of plague being introduced in such a way. It is now believed by some people that the plague was originally introduced into Sydney by me 1 who toured round with perform mg nnce 1 Whether that supposition has any foundation or not the fact ias been made plain that plague is spread chiefly by rats 1 ; that both Auckland and Lyttelton have had plague cases, and that if rats are to he allowed vo escape from Newcastle boats in tills way, Gisborne’s isolation is not calculated to give it any immunity, by our telegrams it will he seen that passengers from Australia are likely to be heavily fined if they do not possess and comply with a license from the health officer. “If a passenger can walk straight off the ship without being questioned, there anist be something lax somewhere,” said the Magistrate at Auckland, hut here in Gisborne rats oil a boat from Newcastle come ashore in open daylight.