THE MAYOR AND THE OUTLOOK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 51, 25 November 1918, Page 6

THE MAYOR AND THE OUTLOOK

CONTINUED PROGRESS TO NORMAL

Reviewing the situation the Mayor (Mr. J. I\ Luke) stated yesterday that the position was much easier than it was on Saturday, the outlook considerably brighter, and opportunity for evacuating patients from the hospitals to convalescent homes more satisfactory consequent on the turn of fine weather. Generally speaking, the outlook was much wore cheery, and, given a spell of line weather, he had no doubt that there would be a quick termination of the extremo phase of the epidemic. Now problems were constantly cropping up in connection with the epidemic, tho latest being the provision of a special hospital for expectant married influenza patients at the Normal School, Thorndon, adjacent to the Women's Hospital, so'concentrating the women patients in one locality and effecting economy of administration and staff work. As regards the children's cases, accommodation at'thn homo at Miramar was becoming stressed, and provision had been found necessary to moot tlin overlbw. The Mayoress, Major 'U'CristeH and himself, with the ladies of thl committee, had been discussing the question, and it had been decided to concentrate the children's cases at tho Training College School at Kelburn, whero the buildings' and surroundings were admirably suited for the purpose. There was also a proposal from the Wellington North Committeo for the provision of a temporary convalescent honi? for patients who had been attended by the visiting eommittees but who had not been patients in any of tho hospitals. It was not-for. him (tho Mayor) to'say whether the Department - would sanction this, the lntter's policy being to concentrate in places of considerable, size, providing the maximum of" result with a minimum of expense: Personally he felt sure thai the proposal was a step in the Tight direction, always provided that the doctors should be the determining voice on the question of discharging a patient. A largo home for convalescents from tho emergency hospitals had been established at the Rintoul- Street School, with present accommodation for 3G, and capable of extension to 50. beds. Already six patient*, had been admitted.- The Mayor added on behalf of the committees his grateful thanks to the doctors, nurses, and volunteer workers, and donors of funds for their efforts in the interests of the general welfare of the community.