9

H.—3lc

We attach specimens of declarations which captains of ships are required to sign and hand to the Health Officer at Suva and American Samoa. In our opinion, however, and in the light of the experiences at Samoa, neither of these declarations is full enough. We would also suggest that with regard to all passengers, officers, and crews of all ships leaving any port of New Zealand for a tropical destination, the temperature and pulse of every person on board should be taken before sailing, and registered. This register should be open, to inspection at all ports of call and at the ship's final destination ; and we recommend that, as far as Samoa is concerned, it should be obligatory on the part of the Port Heaith Officer to examine such register and to take all temperatures there and compare them with those taken at the port of departure. All passengers joining the ship at way-ports should be similarly treated. Captain Atkinson in his evidence stated that the time spent in carrying out such an arrangement would delay the ship for days. We do not agree with this statement. We find the time expended in taking the temperatures and pulse-beats of all passengers, officers, and crew of the " Niagara " or " Makura " averages from two to three hours, according to the number of passengers on board. With a sufficient number of thermometers we venture to state that a ship, say, the size of the " Talune," visiting these islands, could be medically examined in the way we suggest in one hour —surely not a large price to pay for the additional safety which would be thereby obtained. We are of opinion that had the temperatures of all the passengers and crew been taken when the " Talune " arrived in the Apia Harbour on the 7th November last no qualified Port Health Officer could have granted immediate pratique without being guilty of criminal carelessness. With reference to the extension of the epidemic : As pointed out, the disease spread with startling rapidity, and with appalling results. On the 20th November the much-discussed radiogram arrived from the United States Governor at Pago Pago for the American Consul at Apia. It reads as follows : — Government American Consul, Apia. Greatly regret to learn of severity of epidemic, and extend sympathy and hopes speedy recovery for Mrs. Mitchell (stop). No cases here yet (stop). To avoid risk of contagion here will recpiire all vessels from Apia to undergo five days' absolute quarantine before discharging or taking on board any mail, or cargo (stop). Request you to inform authorities of this decision (stop). Please inform me if we can bo of any service or assistance. Poyer. Colonel Logan in his examination in Auckland stated that he did not understand the message to be an offer of medical assistance as far as Western Samoa was concerned, but rather assistance for Mrs. Mitchell, who was then ill with influenza. Further, as a rule all messages, other than commercial, dealing with Samoan matters came direct to him and not through the Consul, and he replied direct to the Governor at Pago Pago. When this particular radiogram was handed to him in the post-office he concluded that the only matter of interest to him in it was that relating to the quarantine of vessels before discharging or taking on board any mail or cargo. We think Colonel Logan might easily have taken that view of the matter, as the message, without the light of after-events being thrown upon it, was somewhat ambiguous. We would ask you, however, to look at the position for moment as it existed then in Samoa. Practically all the Natives were down with influenza or fright, and they either could not or would not do anything to help themselves or others ; the whole burden or nursing, feeding, and burying was therefore thrown on the military and European civilian population who were fit, as well as on many who were unfit. The people, especially the Natives, were dying at a startling rate, and the call for assistance, medical or otherwise, was totally beyond the power of the handful of Europeans to respond to, when some one suggested to Colonel Logan that outside aid should be sought. The quicker assistance could be obtained the more lives would be saved ; even two or three additional doctors with qualified attendants would have been of immense assistance. The nearest place was Pago Pago, within ten hours' steam of Apia, occupied by friends and allies, having at least three fully qualified medical naval officers, with many trained orderlies, and yet assistance was not sought in this direction. Indeed, instead of asking for. muchneeded assistance from Pago Pago —as we think he should have done, apart altogether from the wireless message referred to —Colonel Logan, incensed, no doubt,

2—H. 31c.