OBITUARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1918, Page 2

OBITUARY.

The death took place at Westland Hospitfil on Saturday of Mr Charles Schuuaeher of Christchurch Road as a result of the prevailing epidemic. The deceased was a native of Christchurch and 27 years of age.. The funeral took place to Ivumara cemetery to-day.

The many friends of Mrs Stewart and the late ex-Const. Stewart will hear with sincere regret of the death of their son George, a lad of 14 years which took place yesterday after a shorr illness as a result of the prevailing ovidemic.

The death of Mr John Ilton, oi Rim*u took place on Sunday at Westland Hospital where he had been laying very ill for several days as a result of the prevailing epidemic, the end coming yesterday. Deceased was 21 years of age and a native of Dunganvillc and sou of Air and Airs Isaac Ilt-on, of Dunganvillc. There arc five brothers (four at front and one at Westport, and on sister, in Westport. Airs. D. Hoenan of Hokitika is an aunt of deceaseds.

News was received to-day that Mr George 11. Kisfcldcr, only surviving son of Airs Kisfcldcr of Hokitika, had passed away at Wellington, where he was on a visit, from an attach of double pneumonia. Deceased was a native oi Hokitika and about 36 years of age, and was a well known member of the staff or .Messrs .Mark Sprot and Co., of Greyniouth. George was a popular citizen and Ids death will be deplored bv a wide circle of friends. He leaves a widow (nee Aliss Linda .Smith) and two young children, a mother and two sisters, both married.

'Die death from influenza of Mr J. HAlaleolm. headmaster of Te Aro School, Wellington, occurred on Monday night. The late Air Malcolm was born in Dunfermline. Scotland, in 1860. He finished his training as a teacher at the Normal School, Christchurch, and Canterbury College. In 1887 lie was appointed assistant- at the Greyniouth District High School. After considerable service at Greyniouth lie joined the Wellington Education Roard, and. during the last twenty years had held the positions of headmaster at Featherston, Scarborough, Alicheltown, and To Aro Schools. He has left a widow and family. His father died last year.

Saturday’s Christchurch Dross says: The late Air Francis J. Kean, who was on a visit to Christchurch and died at the Christchurch hospital on the 12th inst-, was the third son of Air E. Kean, Greenstone, Kumara who is one of the pioneers of the West- Coast. The late Frank Kean, as he was best known was for many years engaged in mining ventures throughout the Dominion but for -the past four years had, with his brothers, been working a gold claim at Greenstone. One brother, Air E. Kean resides in Christchurch. Hie funeral took place on Friday at the Linwood Cemetery, the Very Rev. Kennedy officiating. Air R. Kean (brother), and Mrs E. Kenn were the chief mourners. A number of West Coast, residents were present. Alessrs J A’Court, J. Thompson, LI. Flaherty, and G. Rich acted as pall-bearers.

The funeral of the late Air. Robert Rouse, Town Clerk, Kumara, took place on Thursday, (says the “Press,”) at at the Lin wood Cemetery, whore the Rev. Father Fogarty, assisted by the Rev. Father Creed, of Loeston, late of Kumara, officiated at the gravoside. Mr S. Powell, (brother-in-law), and Mrs McCarthy and family were the chief mourners. Ur. STorkane and Mr. G. Rich, represented absent Kumara friends, while amongst those present were Alessrs G. E. Perkins, (Greymouth) 1 G. Mallinson, and J. Ryall, (Grey County Council), S. Briggs, (Westland Racine: Club), J. Thompson, and H. Flaherty. (Kumara), A. Dale, (Kanieri) C. Stratford, and others.

The funeral of the late Mr. Antonia Raretta took place on Saturday afternoon from- Goldshorough to Hokitika cemetery. The Rev. Father Clancy con ducted the service at the graveside. The funeral of the late Mr James 'Turner took place yesterday afternoon to Stafford cemetery and was attended hv a large number of friends. Mr H. W. Saudie conducted the service at the graveside. The funeral of the late Mr Richard ,S. Diedrich took place yesterday afternoon. There were a good many mourners present in spite of the inclement weather. 'The Rev. Dr Holloway conducted the service at the graveside. /The death of Mr James’'Wallace, the well-known Matainui settlor took place at Westland Hospital this morning. Deceased was brought from South last week seriously ill, and failed to recover. The mother and members of the Wallace family have had more than their share of trouble and this additional loss will he deplored by the whole community, deceased being a line settler, who will he sadly missed.

.A lED IC A L ASSISTANCE. [I‘ER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT., WELLINGTON, Nov To. The Minister of Public Health states that Colonel Jennings leaves for Christchurch to-morrow for the purpose of collaborating with Dr. Chesson in deaL ing with the influenza epidemic in Christchurch. Colonel Jennings has been closely in touch with the system adopted at Auckland to combat the disease. j_.CONDITIONS IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Nov. 15.

There is a very marked improvement in the influenza epidemic, and generally it is regarded as on the wane. | The steamer Eiverina has been commandeered for special work. She does not carry passengers to Australia this trip. The death is announced of Dr. Peter McNab. AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, Nov. 14. There are . eight deaths at "Jlunedin Hospital to-day, including Nurse Mary Watson, of two years’ service. The notification of fresh cases in Otago and Southland district was twenty-five to-day. Only five were in Otago proper. Over a hundred cases are in Dunedin hospital. Knox Sunday school has been turned into a temporary hospital.

•AT WESTPORT. WESTPORT’ November 17. Owing to the prevalence of influenza the watersiders decided to suspend work until Thursday. There ate 14 cases in the hospital, including Dr Monson, Superintendent and Captain Vasta of the s.s. Paeria.

Thi •ec deaths have occurred in the district.

Whole families are stricken and voluntary nurses are rendering great service.

Owing to the shipping dislocation, there is hardly any flour in town, and bakers state they are not able to keep up the supply of bread for more than a few days.

ACUTE AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH November 16. There were thirty admissions to the Hospital with influenza up to two o’clock to-day. Seven more deaths have occurred. Trains are not to close down altogether hub will running at 8.15. each night. H. AI. Cotton, President of the local Returned Soldiers Association died today from influenza. The Health Officer is asking for all burials to be made as quickly as possible and that only immediate connections of deceased should attend. The citizens’ organisation system is working better to-day and is gradually getting a grip on the outbreak. Practically the whole city was closed up from 4 p.lll. -to-day for funiigtion purposes. No business premises are open to night. The Public Hospital lias no further accommodation and the position on Saturday was most acute. In the course of a short interview (Dr Fox, mctWcni' superintendent of the Christchurch Hospital said that the position was very serious indeed. The hospital was taking only the most acute cases, and a mortality of about 60 per cent of these seemed probable. The nursing and other staffs were much depleted through the epidemic and the work of the hospital was being carried on under most disheartening circumstances. On Friday up to 9 p.m. there were forty-seven influenza cases admitted and fifteen deaths occurred through the epidemic. The Mayor has commandeered the Royal Hotel, Oxford, which will be turned into an auxiliary hospital. All the guests will leave, and there 11 ill he accommodation for sixyt patients hi addition to the staff. Dr M’Gibbon will be in sole charge. The Health authorities have issued a notice of the closing down of business places at four o’clock each day, for fumigation purposes. The Christchurch Tramway service will be. stopped altogether after Tuesday till further notice.

AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN November 16At a stop-work meeting to-day the Port Chalmers Watersiders’ Union decided to suspend work on the waterfront until Alonday week, in order to assist the Health authorities to cope with the influenza. It was resolved also t|o approach the Health Department with a view of having shipping isolated and to ask the Department to close hotel bars altogether. With the exception of shipwrights all other waterfront trades have agreed to fall into line.

41 DEATHS IN CAMPS REPORTED SINCE SATURDAY. WELLINGTON, This Day Since Saturday, forty one deaths have been notified at Feat-herston, Treniham and Awapuni Camps.

at creymouth A BIG DEATH ROLL. All day long yesterday a constant stream ol people went through the inhalation chambers at the Town Hall, and m between times gave information to those in charge of urgent cases demanding assistance. Some new plant arrived from Christchurch and was installed in the Library portion of the iown Hall. A willing number of work--01 S| ‘'‘eluding borough, foundry and gas. employees, completed the installation!,, wind l will enable the authorities to copewith the epidemic by fumigation in a: much larger way. Ihe death roll is a heavy one andi includes the following: Mr William Dittman died on Satur--uay morning. He was an employee of, the Despatch Foundry, and aged 32 vears. He leaves a widow and family ol rwo.

Mr George Allen, who passed a wav’-' on Saturday, came from Auckland to take charge of the Despatch Foundry’s paint shop. He was a native of Dovles--ton, and 27 years of age. Mrs Garth, wife of Mr Fred. Garth . hairdresser, was stricken down, along’ " , "'hole of her family, and was subsequently removed to the Grey River -Hospital, where she gradually'became worse and pneumonia setting in, brought about her death. The deceased "as highly respected in the community and was the eldest daughter of Mr and :rs Walker, late of Ivumara. She leaves behind to mourn their loss, a tinshand, one daughter and two sons. -lr and Mrs Charles Southa.ni have lost their 15-montlis old son, Roy, who passed away yesterday afternoon. Yesterday morning at four o’clock, Constable Wilfred Gilmore Mcßoberts died at the Grey River Hospital from pneumonia. The deceased joined the police force at Wellington in 1911, and almost immediately afterwards was trails!erred to Greymouth where !i» remained till a few months ago, where he was placed in charge of the Cobdem station. The late .Constable, who wo* ■it all times a most oblip-ing officer, Was* lorn in the Auckland district 37 years; ago, his mother and brother being still! lesidents oi Mount Eden. He leaves; a widow and one child (both of whomi are suffering from the malady. ! Constable John Nash also' stationed' at Greymouth passed away on Saturday night after an attack of influenza. He' «-a s a native of the West Coast, being: born at Maori Creek, some 38 years’ago, his father being police constable’ I»t Kumara and later at Picton. Dej ceased arrived in Greymouth in June j last- and siuce that time had enjoyed j much poplarity. He, too, was a splen- ’ did type of athlete, a man of 6ft. 2in. in height. He was gn active member of the Greymoutli-'Tennis Club, and took a live interest in most athletic pastimds. Both “his mother and father are dead, but deceased has two married sisters living. He was unmarried. I Mr George Edward Levien has also : passed away, having succumbed to are attack of influerv.a last evening. The--1 deceased had been a resident of Greymouth for a number of years, having: • come from Nelson where his relatives; | reside. He .was a prominent . figi ure in the community, as his business of news vendor brought him prominently before the public. Mrs Lock, of I Nelson, is a sister. | Mr Frank Michel, hairdresser, of Greymouth, is another victim. He was

a son of Air and Airs Joseph Michel, and nephew of Hoii. H. L. Michel. The deceased, who was married about; seven years ago, leaves a widow and), four children. to mourn the loss of a good husband and a loving father. Both; of his parents, well-known residents of Greymouth, just recently suffered the loss of a younger son, also from pneumonia. He was 28 years of age. Another victim was Air Allen Boyd, of Cobden. The deceased was clerk in the local railway office up to the time of his being stricken down with the mlady, and as his condition did not improve, he was taken to the hospital where lie died. Deceased who was quite a young man, leaves a widow to mourn his loss.

SOUTH AFRICAN CASES. (Sydney Paper) The influenza plague which is raging at the present time in South Arjvica will jriglrtjl y win for the subcontinent a good deal of sympathy, even in these full and exciting daysSince the war broke out gouth Africa which in spite of its large native and! coloured population is normally a very healthy country has had a disquieting succession of epidemics. The mysterious outbreak of pneumonic plague,, which took place soon after hostilities began, was no sooner got in hand than typhus a. disease hitherto unknown on a large scale in the country, broke out among the natives in the eastern of the Cape Province. This was followed by a scarlet fever epidemic in Johanesburg, together with a llarge. ijnerease in infantile paralysis in various towns, and now’ to cap all comes this shockingly fatal, visitation of influenza.

The medical profession of the country will no doubt he able to cope with this disease when once they can. obtain sufficient vaccine. News came very soon after that, of the outbreak than an efficient one had been found, and South African doctors are used to the iimoculation of large numbers of people. In witness of this, attention might be drawn to the present work that is going on in Johannesburg which there is every reason to believe will render the native labourers thereimmune from pneumonia. Dr. F. S. Listr, the research bacteriologist of the South African Institute of. Medical Research has succeeded in preparing a vaccine containing the cocci of 'eight strain sof pneumonia, and with this the vast hordes of natives which congregate at the mines are mlioculated. The experiments which were made last year at the Crown Alines with vaccine containing the cocci of only three or four strains of the disease proved so thoroughly successful that there is every reason to believe that the terrors of pneumonia will soon be a thing of the past among the mine natives.