INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1918, Page 3

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

(I’KH i'KKSS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT..

at DANNEVIRKE. DANNEVIRKE, November 25

The epidemic shows a decided improvement. There are a few fresh serious eases. Sinco Saturday, six Europeans and two natives have died. One of the Europea’ns cut his throat while delirious. UNDER CONTROL. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) SYDNEY* November 25. It is officially announced that influenza is completely under control. A relief steamer lias left for Samoa. INFLUENZA VICTIMS. WELLINGTON, This Day. Among the victims of influenza is Gerald Henson, husband of Miss Algood of the “Peg o’ My Heart Coy.]’ Nearly the whole company are laid up. Also Captain Gurto of the French barque Colonel de Vellibois Mareuill. I

AT PAH IA TU A

PAHIATUA, This Day

Six deaths sinco Friday, but the epidemic is now well in hand and very few cases are coming in, mid those are not serious .

OBITUARY

WELLINGTON, This Day

Among the names of those who have died in camp was Rangi Kcrehoma. Enquiries were made as to his identity hut every official in Wellington scorned quite unable to place him. Further enquiries in Wairarapa show it is a young Maori landowner whose name has been so prominently before Parliament and the Courts of the country for several years hack.

APPROACHING NORMAL

NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day

The position was so much better today, that business will he resumed tomorrow.

AT WAIMATE

WAIMATE This Day

To date there have been five epidemic deaths in Waimato hospital. Thirty influenza patients are there now, six whereof being very seriously ill. Two doctors are ill. Doctor Margaret Cruickshank is extremely low. She was prayed for in the Presbyterian and Catholic churches yesterday, the only services held. Surgeon Captain Hayes came down from Fentherston to see his wife who was a sufferer, and the Mayor secured tho Defence Department’s permission for Haves to stay. This gives Waimato and dfstrict two doctors.

AT CHRISTCHURCH

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

All evidence suggests tho influenza position is improving in the city "and suburbs and also most other districts of Canterbury. Admissions to the hospitals on. Saturday were 26 and Sunday 27. The deaths on the same days were fourteen and ten. Th c general opinion of those engaged in the campaign is that the crest of the influenza wave was reached last Tuesday and that there has been steady improvement since.

THE GENERAL POSITION

REVIEWED BY MINISTER

WELLINGTON, This Day

The Minister of Health says neither Christchurch or Dunedin have suffered so severely as other cities. In Wellington over crowding due to the war was largely responsible for the seriousness of the epidemic. Many young men were taken from overcrowded board ing houses. Roth in Wellington and Auckland conditions were discovered that demand the attention of Parliament. The position is still acute among the Maoris.

The Department’s greatest difficulty is the shortage of doctors and trained nurses. Appeals are coming from the country districts for assistance which cannot he rendered, unless some doctors can he got back from Auckland, tie. considered the whole question ot medical service and public health must he reconsidered and will report to Parliament.

Ihe Department learns that the cases in camps are now below one hundred and the new cases are practically a minimum.

IN OTAGO. DUNEDIN, This Day. Notifications to-day for Otago and Southland, excluding Waitaki were 85. The cases in Dunedin hospital number 247. Tlie deaths rate is exceptionally low, and is not' appreciably rising. AT GREYMOUTH. GREYMOUTH, This Day. Conditions are rapidly improving. No fresh cases are reported. Business is normal, except hotels and hairdressers who are expected to re-open during the week. The State mines resume tomorrow. Practically there are no cases in the country except on Otirn line. AN ORDER CANCELLED. AUCKLAND, This Day. The situation in regard to the epidemic had so greatly improved that Dr Eringley this morning authorised hairdressers and tea-rooms to resume business as usual. This was subsequently j counter-manded by instruction from the | Minister of Public Health. $ j Miss A. Gray, who hold the ladies | tennis championship of tho Dominion I fur New Zealand since 1912 and with Miss Travers, and later with Miss Baird the doubles championship for ten years, died yesterday. INFLUENZA IN SOUTH AFRICA FIFTY THOUSAND DEATHS.

(Keceived this day at 12.25 p.m) CAPETOWN November 23. It is officially estimated that- fifty thousand deaths were caused in South Africa by influenza.