OBITUARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1918, Page 2

OBITUARY.

The dcatli of Mr. Hugh Johnstone the well-known settler of Kolcatahi which took place at Westland Hospital yesterday afternoon following injuries received on his farm as the result of a kick from a horse on Friday removes a well-known personality of the district. The deceased was 48 years of age and single and had resided in Kokatahi since boyhood. He leaves four sisters, (Mrs Gower, and Mrs Evans in the North Island, Mrs C. Kettle of Greymouth, and Miss -Maggie Johnstone, a nurse).

The many friends of Mr George Northcroft, the well-known settler of Wataroa will deeply regret to learn of the death of his wife which took place at the result of an attack of influenza at- Grevmouth yesterday, where she had he staying for some time. The deceased, who was a daughter of-Mrs Gunn of Wataroa, leaves a husband -and two young children. Deceased was deservedly popular in South West-land where she was born and reared,’ and a wide circle of friends will mourn her demise.

The s.s. Koromiko, bound from Wellington for Sydney, arrived at Westport on Thursday, with several cases of influenza aboard and was put into quarantine. The second engineer and a sailor were removed to the hospital. A trimmer named McAvory died between Sydney and Wellington, and was buried at sen.

The death of Mr Bruce M. Robertson, a well-known commercial traveller took place yesterday afternoon at Westland Hospital, as a result of an attack of influenza. Deceased was stricken down while on a business visit here and had been an inmate for over a fortnight. He was about 32 years of age and leaves a widow, who came over to Hokitika on Soturday night, and one vonng child. A wide circle of friends will deplore, his loss.

Another inmate of the Grey River Hospital, H. D. McDonough, who was taken to the institution about a week ago. died there yesterday morning. Deceased who was a native of Sydney, and about 22 years of age, contracted influenza, which resulted in his death.

Mr /Don. Thompson, formerly in charge of the Bands and Survey Office at Westport-, died at Christchurch Don took a vorv keen interest in all forms

Tim sad news of the death, at- Christchurch of Mr .Samuel, (‘Banjo’) Patterson, of Ayres Hotel, \\cstpoit, was received on . Saturday night. Deceased who was always a keen sport, went to Christchurch to atend the Cup meeting and There was stricken with the disease. Ho was Fairly well up to Tuesday, but got worse from then on and died on Saturday evening. Ino late Mr rattorson was President of the Westport Jockey Club. 110 loaves a widow.

The manv friends of Mr Jolin Brown, formerly of Dillniaus and Lake Alahin.ipna and now of Christchurch, will lieai with regret of the death of his wife, (Martha), on Sunday, another victim of the epidemic. The deceased was a daughter of Mr James Rugg formerly of Kumara. Her brother Thomas died last week, of the same complaint;' Mrs Gordon Harcourt of Humphreys is a sister, the fantliy being a well-known one in this district.

'l’lie death of Mr Joseph Harvey, son of Mrs Harvey of Rea ley Street, took place yesterday at Christchurch as a result of the prevailing epidemic. The deceased was a native of this district, and about 11(1 years of age. He was for many years a resident here and was a well-known member of the local Football Clubs in the past. He leaves a mother, three sisters and a brother, Deceased was married and leaves a widow, (nee Miss Florrie Houston of Hokitika), and two children, the youngest three months old.

Constable Mcßoberts of Grevmouth whose death from influenza on Sunday we recorded yesterday was married to Miss Annie Simpson, a daughter of Mrs Simpson of Sale Street, and formerly' of Blue Spur. A family of three children are left, one, with the wife,, also suffering from the epidemic. Deceased was well-known in the athletic world, as well as being one of the most ardent devotees of surf bathing. It was while a member of tbe Greymouth Surf Club that the deceased obtained the Royal Humane Society’s medal for life saving, having saved Air Ennis from drowning on the Greymouth beach. Since that time the late constable also saved another person from drowning, also at the beach. The deceased who was a fine stamp of a man, being slight Iy over six feet in height, was probably one of the most popular police officers ever stationed in Greymouth.

Airs Margaret Rao, relict of the late Air William Rae, formerly Secretary the Despatch Foundry, passed peacefully awa.v at her csidence, Greymouth last evening. The old lady lin'd reached a ripe age. She leaves behind two brothers, to mourn their loss. One is Mr Mackintosh, District Railway Engineer, at Auckland. |

’ The late -Air James Wallace of Wataroa whose death took place on Sunday leaves a. mother (Airs AVallaee of Kokatalii), two brothers (Aback manager of Kumara Dairy Factory and Alark at. Kokatalii) and several sisters including. Airs H. Lcvett of Kokatalii Airs AV. Lovett of Shannon, Aliss Wallace, teacher, Kumara Junction. The family had recently suffered the loss of inily had recently suffered the loss of two brothers (Samuel drowned on the Wataroa river, and John who was killed at the front).

AT GREYAIOUTH

DISEASE BEING GOT UNDER. WELLINGTON', Nov. 18. The Health Officer, Doctor Alakgill states that there are indications of the disease being got under in Wellington. Things now seem to be going well, he says, and the epidemic is lessening. The Alinister of Defence states that reports from the camps and tho military hospitals are There have boon no fresh admissions "at Hanmer, and the epidemic is in hand at Rotorua. Two serious cases reported from Narrow Neck Camp.

AT DANNEVIRKI

DANNEVIRKE, November 18.

Hie influenza epidemifc shows no isignsi of ,abatement. There are still many serious cases and the only doctor available for fhe whole distritft } is Dr Deck of Waipawa.

Up to the present t-lieire have been: ten deaths. There are many serious cases in hospital.

AT EARGA VILLE. 1

DARGAVILLE November 18

Mr A. C. Black, associated editor of the “Times,” and Messrs Dicks Bros two well-known farmers are among the latest deaths from influenza. All of lhe available public buildings are being utilised. Fully fifty natives are down at Te Kopuru school hospitals alone. V

Kaihu district reports that the Na tives are in a bad way. There was one death there this morning.

AT WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON November 18. The Mayor states that the position of the epidemic to-day as compared with a week ago, shows vast- improvement-. He is convening a meeting of citizens to continue, and extend operations for assisting people unable to help them selves. The Mayor is also considering the question of starting a Citizen’s Relief Fund. An unknown man entered a cafe in Molesworth street to-day and immediately dropped dead. Some doctors think that Saturday last-

was the zenith of the epidemic and that

it: is now falling. Doctors were to be organised by the districts as far as possible. • The condition of Mr D. Buick M.Pfor Palmerston is grave. Hon. T. M. Wilford has now recovered from his recent- illness.

! WELLINGTON November 18. Medicals are finding it extremely diffi cult to make culture-from organisms. i A proclamation which fi.xed the maximum price of oranges and lemons at threepence lias been-extended to the whole of the Dominion. : Authorities admit that the epidemic position is serious in the Wellington district. There are several disquieting futures. i The Mayor, Mr Luke and representative executive officers, publicly complain at limited response, to the appeal for voluntary workers. Indeed the voluutarv svstems is threatened. Many of the volunteers are afraid and do not help the patient by showing panic. There is a dangerous death of doctors and expert nurses. SYDNEY ON THE ALERT. SYDNEY, November 18. A special 'Cabinet meeting discussed the serious reports of the effect of Spanish influenza in New Zealand and devised elaborate precautions tc combat the epidemic. Tire health officers are of the opinion that the disease is v not true influenza, but pneumonia of a highly virulent type, which they term “epidemic pneumonia.’’ All hospitals has been cleared to receive patients. An extensive chain of innoculation depots have been established and large quantities of vaccine prepared and delivered which is a strong factor against the introduction of the epidemic in Australia. IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY November 18. The medico in charge of the quarantine station states that- vaccine treatment for influenza has proved a decided success, not. only in combatting the disease but in preventing its spread. The situation is now well in hand. The Sonoma and two other vessels have been released.

Yesterday, crowds visited the'inhalation chamber in. the Town Hall, and there is a keen intent- to preserve one self, if possible, from the malady. Only one death was reported yesterday from j the Hospital, but there are still a num- j her of very serious cases.. The authorities have indications which point to the fact, that the epidemic is waning and that the zenith has been reached, hut every precaution is still necessary, and patients must not he too eager to got about. The nows from other parts is still of a disquietening nature, hut all efforts are being taken to stamp out the terrible disease. Dh -Clipsson, District Health Officer, has wired to the Atayor, (Air. J. D. Lynch), as follows:—“I have telegraphed extensive closing order for the rest of the West Coast district, including ;he closure of all hotel bars throughout the district, not only in the boroughs and towns, hut in the district as a whole. Please see that there is no misunderstanding regarding this order, owing to the fact that this is in"ex.eess if the general Dominion order, which limits the scope. The Act gives me authority to use my discretion in extending it as I may deem necessary.” The Alinister of Public Health (Hon. .(}. W. Russell has wired as follows to tiie Alayor with reference to the closing of business places and banks: — “ His Worship the Alayor of Greymouth :—ln reply to your telegram to rlie Prime Alinister. I am strongly opposed to closing business premieses, hanks, etc., as calculated to cause a panic and depress the minds of the people, thus assisting, the epidemic, Tbe Government will not close the departmental offices. ATy advice is to face the trouble and carry on.—G. AV. Russell, Alinister for Health.” His Worship the Alayor (Air J. D. Lynch) to-dav despatched the following reply:— “ Simply astounded at your telegram of Kith. There is not any panic here, but stern determination to fight the scourge, which apparently is proportionately greater in this district than in other parts. Your advice to face the trouble and carry on had already been acted upon by our people, who closed their premises on Saturday, in compliance with the Department’s request. Evidently you do not realise the seriousness of the situation, as the views contained in your telegram, under reply, do not correspond with the instructions of the Health Department. Public Hospital and two temporary hospitals are now full.”

BANKS TO CLOSE. WELLINGTON, Nov. 18. In consequence of the depletion of the staff through the present epidemic, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, (Minister of Finance), lias sanctioned tne banks to close at their own discretion. The banks are considering the queston of immediately closing all offices m New Zealand for one week.

IX CHRISTCHURCH

(>EIt PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov IS

Colonel Wylie, officer in charge of the Orthopaedic Hospital, who is now in charge of the Christchurch Hospital, stated to-day that in the twenty-four hours ended at midnight, sixty-t'vo cases of influenza had been admitted to hospital, and the annexe at- the Royal Hotel. He said there was no sign of any decrease in the ravages of the disease, but on the other hand there was no sign of any increase. While it was much to suggest that it had reached its maximum as far as seriousness goes, I want you to emphasise, Colonel Wylie added, that the number of deaths at the hospital is no criterion of the actual gravity of the epidemic, as only exceptionally severe cases are admitted to hospital. .