Plague of Mosquitoes.

Manawatu Herald, 30 August 1902, Page 3

Plague of Mosquitoes.

That pest of the East, and of America —the mosquito—is not usually associated with the highways and lanes of an English county, says an exchange, but nevertheless during the past week or ten days (in July) perfect swarms of this annoying insect have rendered field labour in certain parts of Kent almost intolerable. Children in their perambulators, policemen on their beats, and all sorts and conditions of men and women have suffered the malignant stings, while at this season of the year thousands of women and children are engaged in the strawberry gardens, and these are utterly unable to protect themselves from these unwelcome visitors. The plague is particularly prevalent in the neighbourhood of Bexley Heath, Chislehurst, and the Grays, and in some cases the bites have occasioned more or less serious inflammation, rendering medical treatment necessary. It will be remembered that a few years ago north-east London suffered from a similar visitation, and it is presumed that the mosquitoes reach this country in cargoes of bananas and other tropical fruits which are discharged at the docks. As at Hackney, the mosquitoes seem to make a special point of attacking members of the police force, and several officers have been incapacitated from duty in the district now referred to.