The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-11-12

around. he suggested rigging up a
ripe on Channel wharf TO fumigate two
vessels al tine. which would aSphyx-
late the rats. although possibly not
killing germs He also suggested Sc
curing the steam scow ''EIIyr' from
Ffackfeld & Co and rigging ZIp fun
igdIlnG plant in the stern Il eases Of
emergency this could be used on YES
sells away from the wharf Once dIs-
infected by THIS floating plant the YES
sells would be declared clean and ready
for cargoes-
The mathematician Of the meeting
then ascerLained that there would BE-
1000 00o cubic feet Of wharfage TO fun
igate. The meeting was startled TO
learn that this would require 10000
pounds, or 200 tons, Of sulphur 10 fuTni-
gate. which az $40 q ton would amount
10 $1,000. The shipping representatives
threw Ep their hands in horror at the
thought, when another mathematician
announced that a mistake had been
made by the others in their calcula-
tons He estimated that five pounds
Of sulphur for every 1000 cubic feet,
meant only five tons OF sulphur, or 5000
worth, and the shipping men again
breathed easier The fumes when
pumped under the wharves at high
tide would make a saving. also prac-
Iically give a higher pressure It was
feared by some that the lumber yards
and warehouses would swarm with TO
dents. but Dr.. Cofer said a wharf rat
was a wharf rat, and would not make
MS home in warehouse.
DR.. Cooper said that the board could
provide a poison for the rats al 1921
for 100 pounds, composed Of the fol-
lowing ingredients. as prepared by the
board chemist: PhosphOrous-2 per cent;
lard, 1S-5 per cent; sugar, 1S-5 per rent;
-four, 81 per cent. He said there was
no likelihood Of such a small proper
ton OF phosphorus setting fire 10 any
thing.
Fred Whitney said the situation had
been plainly set forth, and he thought
with Mr.. Campbell that there should
be some action 10 get things started.
he presented a scheme Tor meeting the
expense connected with the monthly
fuunig atlon, which VIII be given q hear
ing al this mornings session.
Superintendent Denuison, CT the
Oahu Railway Wharves said there was
1e0. COS square feet 70 be looked after by
his company. and x was proposed
there 10 make use Of aprons TO pro
tect them from rats. He thought that
bltuDen would be preferable on the
surface Of the Wharves. He stated that
poisoned wheat had been used under
the vharves 70 KIN the rats, and the
increase IN bad doors and the reduced
number OF rats was an Indication TO
him that the wheat had done its work
M Whitney stated that although
Honolulu was not an infected port yet
no vessels OF the Oceanic Company,
after calling here. were allowed TO
come up 10 the wharves at Sydney, and
he thought the present plan would
create confidence there.
DR.. Cooper: I wish ii understood
that the board has not q dollar with
which 10 fight this thing"
Mr. Gilman; Neither have the
banks.
Mr.. Campbell said that on some Of
the docks there were several tumble
down sheds, and these would make the
work Of Improvement more difficult
Dr. Cooper in summing Up the sal
lent points Of the discussion said: 1t
is simply this-You know what II was
year or so ago. For the expenditure
of a few thousand dollars whereby you
obtainf-for your ships a free pratiQue
practically. II is but a drop IN the
bucket when compared with the re-
suits. The matter should be taken UP
at once"
Mr.. Whitney said the night watch
men on the Oceanic, Brewer and 9TH
81 wharves had reported TO him that
as soon as the lights were turned On
at night the rats came out IN swarEns-
He thought the work OF poisoning
ought TO go on right away.
The question Of q bounty for dead
rats was discussed. but there seemed
to be no desire 20 make use Of this
Man