INFLUENZA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16417, 10 January 1919, Page 7

INFLUENZA.

NEW SOUTH WALES FREE. (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 9. The qusirantiuo station is now free of patients, but there will bo no relaxation against vessels arriving from -suspected areas while any danger of infection remains. The official argument in favour qf a continuation of inoculation, despite tho fact that the danger of tho introduction of the scourge has practically passed, is that there will probably bo a recurrence in previously infected areas at somo period next, year, though possiblv in a less virulent form. There have been no influenza cases since December 20 th. IN OTHER STATES. PERTH, January P. Another death h.-Vs occurred afc the Fremnntlo quarantine station from influenza. ADELAIDE. January 9. There have been four fresh eases ot influenza in quarantine. OBTVINING FOOD HY FALSE PRETENCES. (I'KESS association teleckam.) FEILDING, Jannaiy i). An unusual case came boforo tho Magistrate this morning, when LrnU Charles Noffke, ot Halcombo, was charged with obtaining food w t value, of 30s from the !• eliding Health Convmittco by moans of f also prcjfj*"* Xoffko had gone to the committeo cu inrr the influenza epidemic and rep»osented himself as a married man five children,, all tlierebv getting tho load. Aftoiwards it transpired that Noffko was a suiglo man with no responsibilities -Mr Uapham. J.P., and Mr Penny, J.l Noffko £5. in default one month s imprisonment. NEW ZEALAND PRACTICALLY CLEAR. The Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr Valintine) on Tuesday informed a "Dominion" representative that Now Zealand as a whole was practically clear of influenza. The only part in which tho epidemic still lingered was boutn Taranaki. A doctor despatched to <nvostifeato tlio position there had on Monday reported that matters were progressing quite satisfactorily. Ilio epi* domic had been .worst where tho. Maori population was greatest, and it had therefore taken longer to disappear from such a district as South Taranaki than from other parts. A return of very valuable information regarding tho disease, Dr. Valintine stated, was expected from enquiries which the Health Department was making abroad. Up to tho present comparatively little information had been received as to tho disease and tho measures taken to combat it in other countries. One very important question which# might bo settled upon data yet to be secured was the value of vaccine in fighting influenza. So far, only conflicting information upon that point had been received. PRESENTATION TO MR A. M. LOASBY. An interesting function took place fl-t Rangiora yesterday afternoon, when all those who had assisted during tho epidemic were entertained to an afternoon by the Mayor, Mr C. I. Jennings and Mr F. Horrell, chairman of tho County Council and of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. There was a very large gathering of workers and friends. Games,) such as bowls, tennis, croquet, and billiards, were indulged in. After afternoon tea bad been served, the Mayor addressed the guests, ana said that he regretted that so many helpers were away. !he whole of trie depot staff were on holiday. 'He regrsHutr that ono of tho most consistent workers, Private G. Bowles, who had been looking forward to being present, had unfortunately fallen and broken 'his leg that morning. The Mayor gave a briof account of what had been dono to combat the epidemic in Rangiora. Mr F. Horrell, Mr H. B. Sorensen, Mr W. S. Wharton, the Hon. R. Moore, and the Hon. IX Buddo also spoke. Tho Mayor, and all the other speakers, made special reference to the valuable help given by Mr A. M. Loasby during the epidemic. Mr Loasby, said Mr Jennings, had' generously placed his services at the disposal of the Hospital Board', and had beeni sent to Rangiora to help the doctors, his assistance being invaluable. Mr Loasby was then presented with a pair of silver entree dishes in recognition of his services. As compared with other districts hav. inn: a similar proportion of Maori population, the Waiapu Hospital District (about East Capo) escaped remarkably lightly during 'the recent, epidemic, Jt suffered very little from pneumonic influenza. although it was extensively affected by tho mild form of influenza that prevailed a short time before tho great epidemfc broke out.