THE PLAGUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 991, 13 May 1911, Page 3

THE PLAGUE.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS. WELLINGTON, May 10. Regulations have been framed under the Public Health Act, and should be gazetted this week, selling out measures which are to be taken to prevent or check the spread of the plague by means of rats. The principal regulations road as follows ; Uji the report of the District Health Ollicer or any inspector or any authorised person, that ou any premises where rats or vermin exist or are harboured, and that there is evidence of such existence or harbour, or that there is or has been unusual mortality among rats, the local authority may, of its own morion, amt shall, if the District Health Ollicer so recommends, by requisition ol the owner and occupier of the premises, require them or either of them to effect any or all of the provisions set out below, and in the manner and within the time specified in the requisition, provided that if tiiu District Health Ollicer is satisfied, immediate action is necessary, he may take proceedings himself for the destruction, ol rats, poisoning or trapping, or such other moans as the District Health Officer may direct. (b) The removal or obliterating of nests, burrows, lnd habitual haunts of rats.

(c) The making ol any house or build ing ou such promises so far as practicable proof against tho ingress of rats. id) The removal of any inoffensive or ollensive refuse, rubbish, material, or article on any such premises, which is or affords, or is, in the opinion of the District Health Ollicer, likely k> afford harbourage for rats.

(e) Rrotcclion from access of rats, so far as practicable, of any article which is or is likely to be food for rats.

Penalties are provided for failure to comply with the requisition. It is further >et out that if there b 6 evidence that a ral plague exists on uaiy premises the Health Uilicor may prohibit the use of the building or house until the requisition has been o, implied with. Local authorities are also required to cause careful inspection t»o be made within the district or within such part as is directed by tile Mhuister in order that the provisions abuvo set forth may be effectually exercised.