CHOLERA IN CORK HARBOUR.
OBSERVATION.
Mr. MAGUIRE said, he wished to avail himself of the Motion
for adjournment to bring a matter of great importance before
the House. The authorities of the city of Cork had been in
communication with the Irish Government as to placing an old
man of war in that harbour as a floating hospital. That
recommendation was made some weeks since, and he had during
the last three or four days been in communication with the
Secretary for Ireland on the subject. He had just received
the following telegram, which induced him to make an appeal
to Her Majesty's Government:- "Cholera is on board an
emigrant ship which has arrived in Cork harbour. There are
two deaths among the passengers. There is no convenience for
quarantine. I have ordered her back to Liverpool." He
appealed to the Government to take prompt measures for
meeting the emergency. There was a large garrison in Cork,
there was a fleet in the harbour, and great numbers of
emigrants were constantly assembling at that port; so that
the breaking out of cholera there could not fail to be a most
calamitous occurrence. In 1833 application was made to the
Government and they placed at the disposal of the authorities
in Cork an old man of war, the INCONSTANT, which proved to be
of great service in preventing the spread of the disease. He
hoped, as the danger was so imminent, he should receive
something more from the Government than general and vague
assurance.
Sir GEORGE GREY said, he wished that the Mayor of Cork had
telegraphed to her Majesty's Government as well as to the
hon. [honourable?] Gentleman who had brought this subject
under the notice of the House. The Government had heard
nothing from Cork; but about an hour before they had received
a telegram from the Mayor of Liverpool, stating that a ship
on its way to that port had touched at Queenstown with
Cholera on board, and pointing out the dangers which might
arise if that ship entered the Mersey. On receipt of the
telegram, which was to be followed by a letter, he at once
communicated with his right hon. [honourable?] Friend the
Vice President of the Privy Council, who immediately saw the
President, and directions would be given forthwith for the
adoption of such precautions at Liverpool as it might be
advisable to take under the circumstances. Had the
authorities at Cork communicated with the Government similar
steps might have been taken as regarded that port at even an
earlier period; but he had no doubt that since it was now
known to the Government by means of the communication from
Liverpool, and the statement of the hon. [honourable?]
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Gentleman that a vessel with cholera on board had touched at
Queenstown, the Privy Council would give such directions as
might be desirable in the case of that port also.
Mr. MAGUIRE said, that for the last week the authorities at
Cork had been in communication with the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland on the subject of cholera, and he himself had been in
communication with the Chief Secretary for Ireland on the
same topic for the last three days.
Sir GEORGE GREY said, the Government had received no
information of the cholera on board a ship at Queenstown,
except that which had been received from Liverpool.
Sir FREDERICK HEYGATE said, he would beg to ask whether the
right hon. [honourable?] Gentleman had received any
information on the subject of cholera from Londonderry.
There was considerable alarm there.
Sir GEORGE GREY: No information whatever.
Mr. AYRTON said, he must express his opinion that it was
outrageous cruelty to put cholera patients into a ship or to
keep them in one.
