EPIDEMIC IN SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 193, 10 May 1919, Page 6

EPIDEMIC IN SAMOA

ROYAL COMMISSION APPOINTED.

• A Royal Commission has been appointed by the Government of, New Zealaud to inquire into the causes-of the outbreak of pneumonic influenza, which is reported to • have. decimated .the population of Samoa during the later . months of last year. The chairman of the' Commission ig to ho Miv George Elliot, of Auckland, and the other members will bo Mr. Thomas Wilson, and Mr. William Harold Seftoii Moorhouse. V

They are to| inquire 'info the following questions:— 1. The circumstances, and causes of tlie introduction of epidemic 'pneumonic influenza into the 'Islands' of Western Samoa ill or about the month of November, 1918, and of its extension in those islands.. '. 2. All matters connected with the departure of the steamer Talune from the -port of Auckland, on or about October 30, 1018, her voyage to the said islands, and "her arrival there, in respcet qf the bearing of ilioso matters on the iiitroduction of the said epidemic. , 3.. Whether the introduction or .extension of the said epidemic was caused by any. negligence or, default' on~ the part of 'aiiy persons in the 'service of the Crown, whether in resnect of the Executive Council of New. .Zealand,'or in resn'cct of the administration of the said islands of Western Samoa. Mr. T{. G. Thompson, of Hansard staff, has been appointed secretary to the Coinmission.