PLAGUE IN AUCKLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 317, 2 June 1911, Page 3

PLAGUE IN AUCKLAND.

NOT VET STAMPED OUT. VIGOROUS ACTION BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Auckland, May 30. During tin- past few days the Health Department has been furnished with evidence, in the shape of plague-infected rats, which shows that the disease has not been stamped out. Up to Saturday the percentage of plague-infected rats among those submitted for inspection by the health authorities was extremely sfnall, but on Saturday a discovery was made of several plague-stricken rats in a cellar in the city, although no occurrence of plague in human beings has occurred in connection with these premises. ■ " »"•••-

Measures were immediately adopted to have adjoining cellars and builmngs cleared of rats. At the same timo disinfectant work was undertaken. During Sunday a raid resulted in a very large catch of rats, and diagnosis showed that plague amongst them was not of rare occurrence. Meantime, as a precautionary measure, two restaurants in the city were closed this morning to be disinfected, and structurally altered to be rat proof. SCHEME FOR CLEANSING AUCK. LAND. Interviewed this morning, Dr. Makgil], Public Health Officer, stated once more that the plague season was April, May, and June, and that the end of the season was consequently near. The plague, he said, manifested itself in seasons, and research showed that it corresponded with the flea season. However, this season invariably closed about the end of June. Three weeks have elapsed since the last plague patient was sent to the hospital, and all there are recovering.

Dr. .MakgiH said it was his intention to work right through Auckland during the next year, beginning with Queen street and the business part of the city. In that time he hoped to have, at any rate, the most dangerous places rat proof. By "most dangerous" he meant places that had cellars; and more particularly cellars where foodstuffs were stored, such as grains, potatoes, and bananas. He thus hoped before next plague season to have the city better prepared to resist invasion. He would be glad, in this matter of rat proofing, to have the co-operation of owners of cellars and of business people generally. It was a very big thing, and wouiu take a lot of time. He would like the voluntary assistance of property owners and business men instead of forcing "them at the point of the bayonet to do it. He •would always be pleased to .advise and assist in every way possible."