COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WANTED

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 60, 5 December 1918, Page 5

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WANTED

Marton, December' i. At a meeting this morning _ of the emergency oommittee the following motion was carried: "That this committee urges upon the Government the need for setting up a commission to inquire into: (a) The introduction and nature of the influenza epidemic; (b) tho methods adopted at seaports for the preventionof the introduction of the diseaso by means of passengers, mails, and cargo; (c) tho methods of the working of the Health Department; and (d) the extent to which housing and town-planning could prevent a iccnrrence of epidemics and generally aid in promoting and maintaining 'the health of the nation." POSITION IN~OTHi DISTRICTS REMOVING RESTRICTIONS 'AT • AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Frees Association.' Auckland, December 1. There were two deaths from influenza in the main hospital yesterday, but no deaths in the other hospitals. Tho position has so far improved that tho; city and suburban hotels reopened to-day. Tho embargo isalso lifted from theatres, billiard-rooms, churches, meeting's, and auctions. The only restrictions remaining are race meetings, shows, exhibitions, and school examinations. . The burials during November at Waikumete totalled 408, and nt Waikamkn. at least 250. IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES AT CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, December i. The steady improvement in connection with the influenza epidemic continues. There were six admissions to hospital yesterday, 1 and two deaths. Another step was reached in the return to normal conditions in tho city to-day when the hotels and hairdressing saloons reopened. STEADY ABATEMENT TN OTA GO ' AND SOUTHLAND. Duncdin, December I. The notifications in Otajro and Southland total 34. The hospital cases in 'Dunedin total 224. These figures show steady abatement. The district health officer is of opinion that tho sudden removal of'restrictions by tho Minister of Health is too early, seeing that Otago-caught the epiI demic n. fortnight after the iorth. but the Minister's directions are being obeyed. Invereargill, December 4. Durins the nnst week the position with regard to influenza in Southland hns shown a marked imrjrovement, although a few country districts which had pri» : viouslv escaped unscathed are now being visited. Botter weather has nelped considerably to bring tho convalescents back to health, and given a continuance' of the?e condition'; Invorcargill should mnn be normal. Tho pressure at tho nublic nnd (itixiliary h<wpitak lias eased conVid«rabl.v. and fewer snrinus cases are beinir taken in. The Vigilance Committee has dono wondorful work in comf>atiti<r the disea°-\ and is now plnckpninß its efforts according to plan. The tramwny service-' is becoming nornipl. Out flf 15?, inmates Mere have been UCi nntienU in the Reformatory. vhp;"> tliwp hnvn been two denths. Mo«t of the r.f.hpr have recovered. Un to to-dny th" TTr-alth authorities have been advised of 16.1 deaths. FRESH OUTBREAK AT NAPIER. Napier, December 4. A fresh outbreak of influenza oocurred in the lower part of tho town to-day, despite the fine sunny weather. The hotels in Napier and Hastings were opened to-day bofore fumigation and cleaning. Tho Mayors of Napier and Eastings protested to the Minister by urgent telegram, and the hotels were closed again indefinitely late in tho afternoon. MABTON'S SPLENDID ORGANISATION. Marton, December i. At the outbroak of the influenza epidemic the Mayor (Mr. Wilson) formed an emergency committee, and tho township was cut into nine districts. A temporary hospital w.is established, and there' were 25 admissions, 11 discharges, and 14 remain. Tho deaths wore mostly those of cases of Tclapse. Tho lightness of tho epidemic was duo to tho splendid organisation. A food supply .was organised and a kitchen conducted by ladies in tho technical school. This morning the reports show that the epidemic is definitely checked. AUSTRALIHACHIEVEMENT IN RESISTING THE EPIDEMIC. A cablegram from Sydney stating that ■the precautions taken by the medical officers in Australia have succeeded largely ■ in keeping the influenza at bay was

mentioned in the House of Representatives by Mi;. C. J. Parr (Eden), who asked tho Minister of Public Health why the officers of his Department had not been similarly successful in New Zealand. The Hon. G. W. Resell enirl thai if Australia hud been abje to escape the epidemic (hal had scourged (he world it would bo a matter' for great congratulation. He might point out that influenza had teen prevalent in New Zealand for a, considerable time, although it had not assumed a. eevere form until recent weeks. He could not. give n scientific explanation of what had occurred. Members would have noticed that the epidemic had .affected ships far distant from any land. When the officers of the Public Health Department were able to turn their attention from the actual fight against the epidemic, which was now subsiding, he would ask them to prepare a, scientific report on the whole subject. THE CASE OF THE MEDIC. (Rec. December i, 11.25 p.m.) Sydney, December 4. The deaths in quarantine continue, and now total 35. The Atua's patients are convalescent, and two of the Manuka tases remain. Ovor one thousand persons are in quarantine. Dr. Arthur, M.'L.A., publishes a letter concerning the out--break on the Medic, alleging that although warned that influenza was rampant in Wellington the officers were allowed ashore,' and tho day after leaving Wellington three officers were stricken with the disease, which quickly spread throughout the ship until one hundred cases were down.—Press Assn. OUTBREAK IN MELBOURNE. (Rec. December i, 11.50 p.m.) , Molbouwe, December i. The superintendent of the Melbourne Hospital reports that during the past fortnight several typical pneumonia-in-fluenza cases have occurred, three of which died.. Precautions to prevent the spread of the disease have been taken.— Press Assn.UYkmWmk APPALLING DEATfi-RATE. (Rec. December 4, 7.55 p.m.) Bombay, December 2. Ihe ravages of influenza in India are terrible. Eight hundred are dying daily in Delhi. There have been fifteen thousand deaths in Bombay and 250,000 in the Punjab. If the • death-rate is proportionally heavy throughout India it will mean iii death-roll of three million neo-ple-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

DREADFUL MORTALITY ON SHIPBOARD 150 OUT OF 176~ OF A CREW DIE OF INFLUENZA. (Rec. December i, 7,20 p.m.) Rome, December 2. A home steamer arrived at Geiiou from a South American port. Influenza started, after leaving Monte Video,' and out of a total of lvß of a crow 150 died.— Ans.-N.is. Cable Assn. Roporta continue to be favourable, aays our Carterton correspondent, although a few fresh cases were reported on Monday. Up to yesterday morning there had been no further admissions to the temporary hospital, where matters are progressing very satisfactorily. Seven were sent out 'cured on Tuesday, and only twelve were left in tho sick ward, and there is every prospect that theso will bo well at the end of the week. Those who have been visited in their homes are reported to be progressing satisfactorily. Mr. C. Bary acknowledges the following further donations to the Wellington Central Distress Fund:—Mr. B. Metz, JE3 35.; Misses Gabriel dc Souza, G. nud P. Tucker, 7s. (id.; Quartermaster Lucas, .£2: limiting a total of .£250 10s. od. Tho Johnsonvillc Vigilance Committee acknowledge receipt of the following sums:—Mrs. Colo, 10s.; Mr. Embury, .£1; Mrs. Townhill, 55.; Mr. W. Styles, 10*.; Mr. C. Mnrim, 10s.; Mrs. Hoot, 55.; Mr. M'Vicar,'JM.; Mr. J*. A. Wright, M.P., X' 3 35.; Mr. T. W. Kirk, £2 2a.; Mrs. Hawker, j>l; Mr. ]). Turner, .£l. The Wellington Bast committee of will be disbanded from to-day. Influenza patients in the district who desire uesUlniirc are advised to apply in the ordinary wnv to a medical moil or to (lie Town Hull.