THE PLAGUE IN AUCKLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3216, 12 May 1911, Page 7

THE PLAGUE IN AUCKLAND.

NO FRESH DEVELOPMENTS.

PROGRESS OF THE PATIENTS LPEK PEESS ASSOCIATION J AUCKLAND, May 10. All the plague patients are making progress. One of the two admitted some weeks ago was discharged yesterday. No fresh developments have been “ reported. DEATH TO THE RAT! CHECKING THE SPREAD OF THE SCOURGE. WELLINGTON, May 11. Regulations have been framed under the Public Health Act, and should be gazetted this week, setting out the measures which are to be taken to prevent or check the spread of plague by means of rats. The principal regulation reads as follows : _ On the reuort .of the District Health Officer or any Inspector, or any aiithorised person, that on any premises rats or vermin exist or are harbored, or that there is evidence of such existence or harboring, or that there has been unusual mortality among rats, the local authority may, on its own motion, and shall, if the District Health Officer so recommends, by requisition to the owner _ and occupier of the premises, require 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; orovided that if the District Health Officer is satisfied, immediate action is necessary, he may take proceedings himself for (a) the destruction t f rats by poisoning or tran ’'"-or. or such other means as the District Health Officer may direct; (b) the removal or obliteration of nests, burrows, and habitual haunts of rats; (c) the making of any house or building on* such premises, so far as practicable, proof against the ingross of rats; (d) the removal of any inoffensive or offensive refuse, rubbish material or articles of any such premises which is or affords, .or is in the opinion of the District Health Officer likely to afford, harborage for rats; (e) protection from access of rats so far as practicable of any article which is or likely to be food for rats. Penalties are.provided for failure to comply with the requisition. It is further set out that if there be evidence that rat plague exists on any premises, the District Health Officer may prohibit, the use of the house or building until the requisition has been complied with. Local authorities are also required to cause careful inspection to be made within the district, or within such part as directed by the Minister, in order that the provisions above set forth may be effectually exercised.