NRS-4917 | Poster: Plague proclamation

This poster is headed "Proclamation Plague" and was issued by the Department of Public Health, New South Wales, Sydney, February 1st, 1905.It states:"By His Excellency Sir HARRY HOLDSWORTH RAWSON, Admiral in the Royal Navy, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor of the State of New South Wales and its Dependencies, in the Commonwealth of Australia.WHEREAS the finding of dead rats in unusual numbers on premises is indicative of the presence of the disease commonly known as The Plague: And whereas it is expedient in the interests of the health of His Majesty's subjects that the most effectual steps should be taken to prevent the introduction and spread of the said disease in the said State of New South Wales Now, therefore, I, Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson, the Governor of the State of New South Wales as aforesaid, do, with the advice of the Executive Council, by this my notification, call upon all and singular who shall find dead rats in unusual numbers in premises in the said State, or who shall know of dead rats having been so found, to immediately report the fact to the nearest Officer of Police.GIVEN under my Hand and Seal, at Sydney, this nineteenth day of July in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and four, and in the fourth year of His Majesty's Reign.(L.S.) HARRY H. RAWSON.By His Excellency's Command, KENNETH MACKAY.GOD SAVE THE KING!Persons neglecting to comply with this Proclamation are liable to be prosecuted for a Common Law misdemeanour.G.H. KING, Secretary."(SR Document No.31). 1 sheet. Note: This description, as amended, is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.