REPORT FROM DR. MASON AND MR GILRUTH.

Manawatu Herald, 24 April 1900, Page 2

REPORT FROM DR. MASON AND MR GILRUTH.

The Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial ecretary, received the foDowing message from Auckland last night, signed by Dr Mason and Mr Gilruth, who are touring the colony in order to see that proper methods are adopted for preventing an outbreak of bubonic plague : — We have given the following information to the Press : — " We regret to say that the result of our bacteriological examination of certain rats found upon the Auckland wharves leaves no doubt whatever that they suffered from bubonic plague. This fact, however, need not raise extraordinary alarm, because, sooner or later, infection of rats must have occurred. We would point out that infected rats have been found in Melbourne and Brisbane during the last two or threer months, and yet, so far, no human being has contracted the disease there. We would urge most strenuously upon all the civic authorities that all precautions should be taken in order to ensure that, should any case appear upon our shores, it may be strictly confined to its original point of infection. We most heartily endorse his Excellency's suggestion that an active crusade ought to at once be made against all rodents. We suggest that all civic authorities ought to supply free of charge * mixture of white-arsenic, pollard and oil of aniseed ; that one day should be set apart for a universal poisoning, as otherwise, if one distriot sets about poisoning rats, etc., the sur- . viving rats will immediately depart to other parts. " We counsel that this wholesale poisoning should take place at the very earliest opportunity, as any delay, now that we know the rodents are affected, is fraught with the most ssrious consequence^ to the whole colony. We urge on all local authorities and the loyal citizens -of New Zealand to advance our views, and thus minimise, if not do away with, the danger that now exists." His Excellency entirely approves of this. He spent this afternoon with Dr Mason, and visited many of the had places, including the waterworks and the Grey Lynn tip ; also some insanitary gullies and houses. We beg to suggest that we should be given more definite and .complete powers "now that, matters have assumed serious aspects, so that we may compel, at once, if necessary, any improvements or work that we deem 3bould be carried out.