The Bubonic Plague.

Manawatu Herald, 24 March 1900, Page 2

The Bubonic Plague.

« The man Heaton (a member of a well-known Raudwick family, who refused to allow inoculation), whoso casewa? reported on Tuesday, has succu. ■»««>" to the plprnie. The youth named Pepper, a resident of Paddington, who was discovered on Tuesday to be suffering from plague sickness, has also died. Still another case has been reported—that of a youth named Fleming residing at Balmain. All the cases that have developed up to date have had their origin traced to Sussex street, where the first victim, a sailmaker, named Dudley, carried on business. There was a big crowd awaiting ■h.6 opening of the inoculation office |on Wednesday morning, and the jl officials had the greatest difficulty in gaining admission. As soon as the doors were opened the people rushed upstairs so densely that the place was blocked. They broke the canisters and over-ran the office. The police with difficulty made a clearing and kept the crowd in check. The offices were besieged all day. During the last few days the police ' have killed over a 'thousand ownerless dogs in consequence of a suggestion that these animals may be a medium for the distribution of plague germs. In consequence of the plague the Government has decided to close a number of wharves at Darling Harbour, including the- Union Company's, Huddart-Parker's, the Adelaide Steamship Company's and the North Coast Company's. Berthing accommodation will be provided at Darling Island and Pyrrnont. The ferry steamers running to Darling Harbour will be diverted to Circular Quay. The health authorities are taking possession of the wharves, and will thoroughly overhaul them. The Hon. W. J. Lyne, Premier of the colony, recently asked the Indian Government to grant the services p| two plague experts, and has received a reply offering to send out one. • On Wednesday 1021 persons were inoculated against plague. A fresh supply of serum, sufficiedjg for six or seven thousand persons; has been received. All the wharves which are being closed are to be properly cleansed* The Premier says it might be necessary to destroy everything, and that the whole infected area be quarraja- ' tiened. It might also be 'deairable^i destroy stores and other buildings^ the vicinity. The plague must be staved at whatever cost. That no extraordinary precautions are being taken is constructed to mean that the Health Officer's consider there is no cause for alarm. The Illawarra Steamship Company's whart is the only one closed other than those already mentioned. Meetings of the representatives of the shipping companies affected by the closing of the wharves are being held this morning, to arrange that the transference of business shall be carried out as soon as possible. TJie Indian Government, in answer to an inquiry of the Government, stated that it could not spare two experts. It suggested that the services of Dr Hornabrook, now of military duty in South Africa, should b© obtained, and he has had experience of plague work at Bombay. A conference has been held between the Premier and the representatives of Darling Harbour wharves to consider the question of isolating the infected area. The conference agreed to the area lying between Darling jj Harbour, Sussex street and Erskine street and the gas-works boundary being infected, including besides the companies previously named a number of ferry companies. The area is to be increased if necessary. A proclamation will be issued, to take effect within forty-eight hours, after which the area will be entirely cut. qff -~*< from the rest of the city, and no traffic ; or business allowed within the limits. A large amount of produce has been quarantined at the wharves. A portion including 8000 bags of maizs, is to be removed, but the remainder, if necessary will be dstroyed. Arrangements have been com- J^ pleted for providing wharfage for the affected companies opposite the site in Darling Harbour. The.Union Company's new quarters are on the eastern side of Darling Island. The Government is employing xooo men cleansing the declared area of the city. Owing to the wholesale death of fiekin Sydney Harbour—caused, it Is supposed, by the disinfectants used on the wharves—the harbour has been closed to net fishing. Another case of plague has been reported to the health authorities, the victim being a man named Gruneon, residing in a boarding-house in Sussex street. Several other residents, on learning the nature of the disease, escaped, and managed to elude quarantining. - 111