SUSPICIOUS AUCKLAND DEATHS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 17 May 1907, Page 2

SUSPICIOUS AUCKLAND DEATHS.

INVESTIGATION BRING MADE Pel" Presg Association. Wellington, May 16. Referring to suspicious deaths al Auckland, tlio Minister for l'ubUe Health (the Hon. Geo i'owlds) states nothing definite is yet known as to llie exact nature of the disease. Specimens had been sent to a bacteriologist who was now engaged in making an investigation. " Is there any ground for supposing it i> an outbreak of plague?" tho Minister nns asked. "All I can say at present is that both cases are very suspicious," lie replied, "and every precaution is being taken to have the contacts isolated, anil iho premises where the girls worked and lived quarantined." 'J lie Oliii { Health Oliicer (Ur Mason) is an'ay at Greymouth, and cannot reach Wellington 1 efore Saturday evening, ; Immediately on his arrival he will proceed to Auckland to make an inv;sliga--1 tion.

Auckland, May ](>, There arc nn fresh developments in connection with the deaths reported yesterday, but the Health Officer and city authorities are taking cnergctit ireasures to discover and remedy anj insanitary conditions. A most carefiii investigation of the locality iu which tin two girls ro.-idod has been made, with a discovery made calculated to oauso furhor uneasiness. VIGOROUS CLEANSING WORK. CRUSADK AGAINST RATS. Auckland, May 10. In connection with the two deaths of young women employed in a Queen street establishment near the wharves, from what is desired as acute septicemia, Dr. Purdy, District Health Olficer, has had a thorough cleansing and disinfection of the premises earned out. The Mayor, Mr Myers, is giving every assistance, and has placed at Dr. Purdy's disposal the whole sanitary stalls. Additional men have been engaged, and a special sanitary gang formed. After these premises havo been dealt with, all others in the neighbourhood will be inspected and cleansed. An inspection is being made, and general cleansing process carried out in all warehouses near the wharves and harbor front, and the chairmen of all local bodies have been asked to institute a house to house inspection, At the same time, an energetic campaign is being conducted against rats.

bUSPECTED PLAGUE. deceived 12,12.20 a.m. ? Melbourne, May 18. The Department of [External Affairs has received a : cable from the Acting Premier of New Zealand statins that two cases of illness from suspected plague have occurred in Auckland.