CONCERNING THE HOTELS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 44, 16 November 1918, Page 8

CONCERNING THE HOTELS

A\CRY FROM WELLINGTON EAST.

"I have never been very keen about Prohibition," 6aid Mr. William Foster, captain of the Wellington East Health District (and headmaster of the Clyde Quay School), yesterday, "but if I had my 'way I would close up every hotel in the Dominion straight away. It's all very well for people to hum and ha over the pros and cons of that business, but if they could see what our voluntary workers "have seen in tho last day or two they would have no doubts about the urgency of the case. Alcoholics suffer acutely, and it is something terrible- to see men coming homo in liquor with desporate cases of influenza in the house. As everyone knows, many of tho houses in the city are cruelly overcrowded, and a proportion of the people aro either drinking through fright or for drinking's sake, and so aro rendering it difficult for one to cope with the disease. Men in liquor aro often intractable, and will not do tho essential thing, and tho

women in some cases are as bad as the men. My committee feel so strongly upon this matter, as ono of extreme urgency, that they passed the following resolution:—"Tho committeo assisting in tho Wellington East Public Health District unanimously resolve that it is imperative in tho interests of public health that the hotels should bo closed. Tho personal experience of tho members of the committee during their labours have absolutely convinced them of tho necessity of this step." A THORNTON DEMAND. Lato last night a-*deputation from the Thorndon section of the Citizens' Committee, headed by the Rev. Robertson Orr, waited upon .tho Minister of Public Health (the Hon. Q. W. Russell) and urged him to order iho closing of all hotels in tho city in connection with the influenza epidemic. Mr. Orr stated that the volunteer workers, both malo and female, we're ro disheurtened by the difficulties placed in their way that they proposed to abandon the work unless the course of action they suggested was adopted. In reply to the Minister, the members of the deputation stated that the people who were requiring aid were chiefly labouring men and young men residing in boardinghouses. The women assistants at the temporary hospitals 'had repeated.ly complained of men reeking with tho fumes of alcohol on their arrival at the hospitals. The Minister replied that tho .request of the deputation was a very important one. The Government did not.desire to bring the city under a prohibition law in connection with tho epidemic, but it realised that at a time like the present oil other questions must be in view of tho danger to the lives of the people. He asked Mr. Orr to obtain the opinions of the chairmen of the other committees in the city and suburbs, and assured the deputation that if anything like a unanimous request was received from tho chairmen for the closing of the 'hotel bars until further notice it would receive his most careful consideration. POSITION AT FEATHERSTON MANY HOUSEHOLDS AFFLICTED. Surprise has been expressed in Featherston that, despito the fact of the area being a very seriously affected one, no inhalation chamber has been established at the railway station. People from all parts of New Zealand have been travelling freely between the camp and tho town iu non-disinfected motor-cars, and several hundred soldiers have for a week past been billeted in Featherston, whilst all bodies have been brought into the drill hall for funeral preparations. In | addition to the foregoing facts, Featherston lias. been an infected area cqmparablo only with Auckland, and upwards of fifty households are aiflieted with the epidemic. Tho Borough Council has kept a start busily engaged disinfecting all buildings in which a considerable number of people are likely to congregate, including all business , establishments, restaurants, boardiughouses, and hotels. On Thursday morning arrangements were made for tho closing of all hotel bars in the district, and yesterday hail-dressing saloons wero added to tho list. In all instances tho representations of the Borough Committeo met with, ready acquiesence. A block system of relief, and a depot for receiving gifts has been established by tho Mayoress, who lias been working at high pressure in rendering assistance to all cases. THE MAORIS TANGIS PROHIBITED. "Tho epidemic appears to be levying a heavy 101 l from the Maoris," said the Minister of Public Health yesterday. "All the information that comes to hand is of n somewhat disastrous nature regarding tho Maori districts. "In consequence of several large tangis having been arranged, tho Government has decided to' prohibit these gatherings and to order Maoris who have already assembled to return to their own homes. The Minister of Railways has, been requested'to refuse transport by railway to persons who are travelling to tangis, and a regulation will be issued nt once to prohibit Maoris from travelling by railway, steamer, or other means to tnneis. There will be no interff *'iiee with travel on ordinary business." HOW OTHER CENTRES ARE FARING SERIOUS INROADS IN CHRISTCHURCH. By Teleciaph.—Props Association. Christchurch, November 15. Influenza mndo more serious inroads into citv business houses to-day. Some large establishments had to, close down departments, while ethers are-being carried on as well as possible by one individual. Ono large concern, employing, about a thousand hands, reports that half were absent to-day. Forty-two men wero absent'from the morning shift of tho tramways to-day, and much curtailed service has been adopted. Inquiry at the hospital elicited the information that the position has become desperate, and help is urgently i-eeded. Six deaths occurred in the institution last night, and there were several more to-day. STILL RAGING IN WAIKATO. By TelCEi-apli—Press Association, j' Hamilton, November 15. Influenza still rages. The hospital and I n temporary 'hospital are crowded, and j there are 'cases in practically every i home. Tho relief workers are doing splendid work. All shops except' essentials, such as bakers', butchers', etc., have closed until Monday next. There have been several further deaths. . IMPROVEMENT AT. DU.NEDIN. By Telegrapß—lJress 'Association. Dun'edin, November 15. Thero appears to bo an improvement in connection witlutlie epidemic on tho Dunedin waterfront, no fresh cases being reported to-day. The crew of tho brigantiue Aratapu are recovering. The Kittawa secured a full crew yesterday, and sailed last night for New Plymouth. The Union Company has decided to pay off the crew! of the Corinna. and tho vessel will be laid_up indefinitely. The Pntiki, which is loaded for AVellington,_will lay-up here for a week. No official notification having been received concerning tho decision of tho New Zealand Watersiders'- Federation, the local watersiders were engaged to-day in discharging tho vessels in port which are unaffected. All the fifth-year medical students nt Otago University havo gono north for duty. Of tho fourth-year students, eight aro being retained for service in this district, and others will bo sent to, different parts of tho Dominion. A number left for Wellington to-day. Later.

Bight influenza patients were'admitted to hospital to-day. There are now close on 100 patients in tho institution. Ono more death lias been reported. Tho waterside workers have decided to cease work on the waterfront for seven days from 5 p.m. to-day. They also decided to ask that all vessels now berthed at Dunedin wharves bo removed immediately _ to an anchorage in the stream. The Union Company has decided that during tho epidemic only one steamer will run in tim ferry service. The Mararoa will leave Wellington:on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Lyttelton on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

NOT SEVERE IN WANGANUI. In view of the influenza epidemic, the Borough Council has recommended that churches do not open on Sunday. The council is making all possible arrangements, .and will increase tho number of inhalation chambers. A few deaths have been reported, principally of natives. A temporury hospital is being opened. There are many cases in tho town, but so far tho outbreak generally is riot of a severe nature

OUTLOOK BRIGHTER AT AUCKLAND. '

"Everything is brighter in tho city and suburbs to-day than it was yesterday," stated the Auckland "Star" on Thursday. "It seems that tho corner is being turned, 'but there is still very great cause for anxiety, foe the epidemio is fighting hard against all attempts to check it. Every hospital institution is in brighter mood to-day. The death-rate in all of them has gone down, and the ovor-worlccd doctors, sislcrs, nurses, and volunteers are regaining a little of their cheer. In tho General Hospital yesterday there were six deaths, and before noon to-day thero wero two more. Six

yesterday and two this morning is the latest Kilbryde denlli-wll; the Technical Hospital lost five patients by dentil yesterday and only two this morning. hour more have died at Vermont Street. So tho list for the last day and a/halt totals only 27, though during the day before there were 39 deaths. Tho appeals tor assistance to the organisations has decreased in numbers, but still all accointnodation is at a premium. lie staling question, too, presents considerable dittt<MryWallace, of the Auckland Hospital Board, was satisfied that everything was going well on Thursday. Over a hmidred gross of bottles of the standard remedy had been distributed, and calls were still- insistent for more. Mr. \\ aiImT™ sure that this .tnndard.sod prescription helped materially to. deftat the epidemic. The chairman denied »illi emphasis the wildly cxaggeraed merits about mortality that were cmrent.

GENERAL NEWS

The secretary of the Hospital Board, AK>n%t off duty yesterday, IU Mr. R. Fordyce and Captain Bryan, of Defence Headquarters, are laid up ported in Paeroa on Tuesday. There have been no deaths, but there were a number ° f M>H:&,M.P., district cap«.in for Brooklyn, had 'to take to Ins bed yesterday, having contracted influenza. *Tl jury cases set down at the Supremo Court for next week have been adjourned until December 2, because of the lnflnTuuSoTstill rife among the gua*l on Somes Island, and all save some halfdozen of the men have had the ailment, mostly in a light form. No risks, however/are being taken, and conin.un.ca. tion with "Wellington is being limited to the visits of the. medical officer and those essential to the well-being of those on the island. So far there have been no cases among the internees _ Major Mathieson has great hopes of being able to stamp out tho epidemic without serious consequences. Borhamporo was thoroughly organised yesterday, at n meeting held at the Masonic Hall, Berhampove. Mr. C. C. Odltn, organiser and convener, explained the steps that had been taken. A special, committee, with Mr. P. C. Watt as chairman, was appointed to control the lentH. Bureau. , It is officially stated that overy soldier, whether a chemist or not. who would be of any use in the present emergency, has been" released from every cam]), and squads of soldiers have been, svit from camp to help at the temporary hospitals. Not a chemist lias been left in camp who could bo spared. Tho Government has decided to rctjite.' sition sufficient, supplies of soda water in the city for ur<> in hospitals. The commercial section of the city now presents, a striking contrast to its usual rush and bustle. Nearly every office building ' 9 closed until Monday, and the streets are practically deserted. During the recess cleaners are being employed in thoroughly cleansing the offices, buildings, and backyards. The streets' that carry the most traffic are being.sprayed with disinfectant. That every care is being taken to chock the .spread of the malady is apparent by tho warnings that are posted nt advantageous positions, One particularly striking poster reads: "If you'are well, keep well, and visit the nearest inhalation chamber daily. Then follows tho location of the nearest chamber. Tersons having business on the wharves are uddressed with "No spitting," and this applies equally well to the streets. There will be no further meetings of committees of tho Wellington Industrial Association during the period of tho epidemic. A meeting of all those who are willing to assist in dealing with the epidemic in the Eastbourne district will be held in the Borough Council Chambers to-night at 8 o'clock.

An appeal is published in our advertising columns for more Hoy Scouts to oct as messengers. Scouts to whom duties have not been allotted are asked to parade at the Y.M.C.A. at 9 a.m. daily, including Sunday. An appeal for voluntary helpers for the St. Patrick's College Emergency Hospital is mode by advertisement. Donations of soups, eggs, fruit, etc., will also be tlnnlct'ully accepted. The telephone number is 834 a. Volunteers with their cars willing to assist various organised branches' in the city and suburbs are requested to send inVtheii names to Sir. If. J. Stott, 12 Panama Street. • ■ ■ Owing to the influenza epidemic the offices of the solicitors .practising in the city will be closed till Monday, November 18. THE EPIDEMIC IN AUSTRALIA TEN DEATHS IN MELBOURNE, vltec. November 15, 11.35 p.m.) Melbourne, November 15. There have been ten deaths from inllcsnza since the quarantine restrictions were, instituted.—Press Asm.