DISTRICT CAPTAINS CONFER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 48, 21 November 1918, Page 6

DISTRICT CAPTAINS CONFER

PROMOTING ORGANISATION CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

At the instance of the Mayor (Mr. J i\ Luke) a conference of district captains, who are engaged on the all-import-ant w.ork of fighting the epidemic, was tield m the Mayor's room 2 esteixky, afternoon, when many matters of vital concern to the public health of the commnnity were freely'ventilated and discussed. As the result of the conference group committees will'have a-better understanding of the work they are called upon to perform, and the best way to do

The Mayor, in opening the conference, said he wished to thank one and all for the splendid work they were doing and the line 'spirit in which it was being done. He wished to say that among the problems contingent upon the epidemic was the number of children whose parents had been taken to hospital or who had died, and who, in consequence had been left without oversight. In that connection he mentioned that the Miramar golf house had been secured, and when these children were located and brought together they would be sent out to Miramar and looked after. The place would be looked after by the lady cau-e----tnker, and he had secured the services of Mrs. Gill (of the Kindergarten), who was just the person to look after the children and see that they were interested jmd entertained whilst they were .there. (Hear, hear.) On behalf ot tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Mr. H. Baldwin, the chairman, and offered the Macarthy Home at Belmont, which had been accepted for use as occasion demanded. If the groups would report the children now in need of attention would-be assembled at some central place, bathed, and supplied with what clothing they might need before being ' sent out to Miramar.

Regarding convalescents, Mr. Luke said that it was necessary to create efficiency in respect to dealing with convalescents from nospitals, so as not to keep them there any longer than their condition warranted. In that direction St. Thomas's Hall at Jvewtown had been secured; and was now in full swing. When he' hud visited the place yesterday morning, the 35 beds were all occupied. They must secure other places, so that convalescents could be evacuated from the hospitals as soon as possible to make room for other patients. Another matter for consideration was the affording of relief in homes. As "they all must know, the epidemic had given risejto a good deal of unemployment, and in many cases where places had been closed up there was a falling off in the earning power .-of men with families, and where there was 1 distress it was tlioir duty to. see that it was alleviated. (Hear,' hear.) What they wished to prevent in that respect was any overlapping with the work of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The matter of comforts for the voluntary workers was another thing that required attention. A great many voluntary workers had worked long hours with splendid enthusiasm in an atmosphere that did not conduce to goud health. He thought that by an interchange of visits, and supplying the workers with cigarettes and so on, they would be doing well.

As they could see, a bar 'had been opened for the dispensing of liquor, which was no doubt very useful and acceptable to a number of people. (Laughter.) They must understand, however, that liquor could not be served without the order of a medical., man. He did not think it would be wise to have tho group headquarters dispensing liquor, as in their generosity and kindliness of heart it might be given to patients to whom it would be a danger. Thero was a decided risk in giving out liquor without an order.

Owing to the curtailment of the tramway services a difficulty had arisen in the transport of nurses and voluntary workers from place (0 place. That was a point for consideration.

_ In thu matter of cleaning up tho city, it had been represented that this work should bo done by tho citizens, and he suggested that tho work-should bo undertaken by the various groups. As they

might have seen, he' had already issued authority to certain citizens to act as sanitary inspectors, and ho was prepared to issuo as many permits as were desired. He wished to say that a spirit of the greatest cordiality existed between them all, and though he had not been with them he wished them all to feel that they had been with him in what had been done. (Applause.)

The Problem of the Helpless. Major M'Cristell (who was referred to as a Napoleon in forco and action) said that one of the most important things he wished to mention was the regulating of admissions to hospitals, which lie proposed should be done through one central channel (which would have its own telephone number). At 8' o'clock each morning every hospital would notify tho centre of the number of vacant beds, and at 10 a.m. notification would be given of the number of convalescents to bo discharged, so that Iho centre would know exactly how many vacant beds there were in each hospital. At noon the centre would be notified of the number of evacuations from the convalescent homes, cases for discharge to be decided by the medical officer. Kegarding the children, they had secured-the Miramar golf-house, where 50 beds would be provided. They would have to arrange to send the children out, as it was only proposed to tako notice of deserving cases. AVhore the mother had been taken away, and the father was still "kicking about," the latter must look after his children. (Hear, hear.) Food and clothing would be supplied the children, and 'when the epidemic was over they must look around and see what could be ' done for the orphans. Mr. W. Foster (Wellington Enst) was of opinion that the heads of groups or divisions might act as inspectors for that purpose. Mr. T. Gray (Kelburn) suggested tho setting up of a central committee for the purpose. / The chairman said that Miss Myers would look after the children at tho central place decided upon. Mr. IJ.1 J . Eraser (Wellington Central) suggested that the group supervisors or assistants might be provided with printed forms, on which to fill in all particulars respecting each child proposed to be looked after. In regard to children, Mr. Baldwin said that the Charitable Aid Hoard only attended to/children committed to industrial homes by the magistrates. Mr. G. Frost (Brooklyn) mentioned difficulties -in the way of such a scheme in his district. ' Tho chairman said it would 'be very much to the point if each group would look after its own children, end provide a home or hostel for them. Then the scheme wuld be absolutely self-contained, there would be no overlapping, and it would spell efficiency all the time, • . In answer to questions, Mr. Luke said that if groups did not hiive suitable places offered them for the purpose of housing their children they were empowered to go to any reasonable expenditure in doing so. \ Mr. Eraser thought it would be better if Major M'Cristell drafted out a scheme which would tell them exactly, what to do. He believed in centralising the whole thing so as to effect economy in assistance. Mr. P. C. Watt (Berhampore) said it would be much more satisfactory if each group was made .responsible for its own children. He quoted cases of families, six in one and four in another, who had been found to be in need, and had been provided with food, 'all of which had been contributed by residents. In extreme cases, if no hostel could be found, they could centralise them. Personally he felt quite competent to handle tlui problem in his district. - Each Group to Attend to its own Children. Mr. Foster pointed out that there were only 50 beds lo be provided at Miramar, and they would soon be filled uip. Each group should be made responsible for its. own children. He felt confident that there were plenty of Good Samaritans in the different districts who would take in the children, and if it came to desperate straits they could communicate with Major M'Cristell at headquarters. Mr. Fraser said there would probably be a difficulty in finding such homes in each district.

Mr'. Luke: Will, if there is, get homes or get a schoolhouse for the purpose. Major M'Cristell 6aid that there was no doubt that people in some districts .were not so well off as those in others. Whilst he agreed that it would be better for each group to look after its own children, the one question of help was becoming acuto. Some of the workers had, to his knowledge, worked for a stretch of thirty-six hours, and were droppin'g through sheer fatigue. He thought that, whora possible, groups should manage their own, ; but thero might be central homes for any surplus. The group captains were then asked individually if they would undertake the care of tho children. They all agreed. Some stated that there would be little call on them. ,- Mr. H. W. Tolan (Hataitai) mentioned that his group had got the schoolroom prepared for such an emergency. It was already equipped with a good many beds. As- they had not so much to do, there were those willing to do visiting or provide food for ft district in greater need, say Wellington Central. (Ap : plause.) If some of the doctors could only give the helpers a few precautions the women would not be so fearful of handling cases. That had been done in Hataitai, and not one of their, workers had become infected.

Mr. M'Kenzie (Karori) said that already children had been placed in two homes in his district.

Maj.ir M'Cristell 'said that in the event of a house or schoolrora being taken for the purpose, he would see to its equipment, and fumigate it thoroughly after tenancy.

It wis then -formally decided that each group should- attend to its own children, and that caste of emergency should be' referred to Major ll'Cristell.

A Matter of Money, Councillor Frost raised the question of the payment of tranifares of voluntary workers and nurses, and wages for essential workeis. The chairman 6aid that all work should bo done on a voluntary basis if possible, but if the organisation did not permit it, an imprest account should be kept of moneys expended, and it would "be paid.

Taxis and Voluntary Cars. The problem of taking nurses and workers to and from their homes or hospitals whilst the trams were not running had to lie overcome by employing taxis. Voluntary motor-cars were being supplied with petrol at the Town Hall. In that regard i; was stated that the Voluntary Motor Corps and the commercial travellers were doing splendid work.

"Clean Up!"

Referring to the duty of citizens to clean up the city, the Mayor said that Sir James Allen had notified him that military men would not be made available for the purpose, so they would have to do it themselves, and do it in a manner that would leave no chance to any epidemics in the future.

Dr. Makgill, Acting-Health Officer, said that the cleaning up of the city should bo organised by the proper authorities, in this case the sanitary department of the corporation. Amateur work was very useful and willing, but it needed a little guidance from experienced people. Mr! Foster said that the sanitary inspectors to be appointed could report to the corporation or they could at least have tho benefit of tho permanent officials' advice on submitting cases to tliwn. It was also suggested that the watetsiders, who were not now working, might bo glad to do such work—they would bo good men for the purpose. - Tho Mayor said that the men appointed would have full power to administer the by-laws.

Air. Eraser mentioned that a surprising number of houses in Wellington Central had been fumigated. He hud gone all through Haining Street, and there was not a case of influenza in the street. The Mayor mentioned that group captains in districts outside the city would linvo to apply to their own Mayors for authority to act as sanitary inspectors. Mr. J. J. Clarke (Kilbirnie) said that two doctors had been allotted to Kilbirnie, Lyall Bay, Miramar, and Seatoun, but so far they had only seen one —he had turned up at 2 p.m. that day. It was therefore impossible to cover the district. Ho wished to know what had become of the other doctor. Mr. Fostor (Ba6t) said that in his dis-

trict they, tabulated tho canes (with notes un them')' so that when llr. Ciibbs camo ho was simply handed the list, an itinerary was prepared for him so that he would not have to double back, and someone was sent round with him. The doctor then returned to headquarters, received his certificates,-and got the ambulances going. The scheme worked well, and lie felt bound to say that; Dr. Gibbs was doing all he could to help them, and thev reciprocated. Air. Clarke: But we haven't seen our second doctor at all yet! The Mayor said tne matter would be referred to Dr. Fyll'e, president of the British Medical Association, who was doing everything humanly possible to help them.

Dr. Makgill's final word of .advice to group captains was "to do as they are doing in Wellington East." Mr. Baldwin exhibited a form which group captains could fill in (at their discretion) whereby the holder could apply to the Charitable Aid Board for rations.

It was decided to advertise the danger of convalescents leaving their- beds until there was no doubt about their being wholly recovered.