INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1919, Page 1

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

AUSTRALIAN iV- N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] SAMOA’S VISITATION. NEARLY 10,000 VICTIMS. WELLINGTON, Jan. 2S A person who was at Samoa at the time of the influenza epidemic, says that fully one-fifth of the population died of the disease. The total number of deaths was between 9000 and 10,000 in the whole group. In several instances whole villages were wiped out. The white people who died numbered 27 besides the members of the New Zealand garrison who succumbed. Among the victims were the whole of the well-known Nelson family, except Noel Nelson.

MELBOURNE SUFFERING. 2(5 DEATHS AND OVER 500 CASES MELBOURNE, Jan. 28. The influenza position is worse. Victoria has been declared an infected State. Steps have been taken to quarantine the whole state. There have now been 527 cases taken to the hospitals. Twenty six deaths are recorded. Traffic between any two infected States will be permitted, Imt none wi! be allowed between infected and clean 1 States. SYDNEY TAKING NO RISKS. MASKS IN DEMAND. SYDNEY, January 28. Another case of influenza was sent to the hospital to-night. 'The Governor has issued a proclamation, closing all libraries, schools, churches, theatres, public halls and all indoor amusements. The iniioculatioji depots arc besieged, and thousands line the' streets awaiting their turn. Thei> is a great demand for masks the stocks being quickly exhausted. The Governor lias set an example as he attended the cricket match to-day wearing a mask.

NEW ZEALAND ACTIONS. WELLINGTON, January 28. The VI iiiistcr of Health said to-day that in view of the outbreak of influenza in Australia the Chief Health Officer bad reported that all oversea vessels arriving in New Zealand from this date onward si muld be quarantined for 21 hours in order that a thorough examination should be made in regard to all persons aboard, to prevent any recrudescence of the epidemic in the Dominion. The Minister regretted the inconvenience that must be caused the travelling public by this arrangement but this course was considered necessary because the Government could not take the risk of having another outbreak here. Precautions had to be taken. BRETON QUAHANTINED. CHRISTCHURCH, January 28. The Transport Briton was placed in quarantine for twenty-four hours there, being two'definite eases of mild influenza aboard. An inhalation chamber lias been installed in the ship and the vessel lias been thoroughly fumigated. The health of the troops on board bus been good on the whole. There are ton light hospital cases, suffering from supuratiug wounds et-c., but beyond the influenza cases there are no infectious diseases It is hoped to disembark the men tomorrow morning . The Briton's principal medical officer, Major W. S. Sinclair, died 011 Saturday morning from'heart failure, following upon epilepsy. He was buried at sea the same day.

SYDNEY PEEPAI!ATIOXS. THREE EKES 1.1 CASES. (Received this day at 10. 15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. (tovernmont is appealing to evorv person to wear a mask and protect the nation from a great scourge. Three fresh eases of influenza are reported. All the victims were recently in Melbourne. A further case has been discovered, at Alolthorpe. A proclamation closed all public telephones in the city.

FEDERAL OPINION. MELBOURNE, This Day. Air "Watt, in a statement on the (Herman colonies, strongly opposed the proposal to internationalise the Pacific Islands.

TWENTY CASES AT ADELAIDE. ADELAIDE, This Day. Twenty influenza cases are reported in tho city.