TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1919, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

IVEJI PKESS ASSOCIATION. —COrVKIGHX.J

THE SAMOA EPIDEMIC

WELLINGTON, This Day

In connection with the epidemic of inlluenza at Samoa last year, and tho subsequent reports of the Commission thereon suggesting either that the Defence Department or Health Department had been guilty of negligence m not informing Samoa of the outbreak in New Zealand, Hon G. W. Russell says: “I desire to state that the Health Department accepts no responsibility lor the outbreak in Samoa, which lias been a defence responsibility throughout. Neither, as far as I am aware, does the Health Department accept responsibility as to the Health ol passengers and crews of outgoing vessels. In reference to the Taluno which carried the disease to the islands, Don G. W. Russell, points out that when the vessel left Auckland, influenza was not a notifiable disease.

SCHOOLMASTER FINED

PALMERSTON N., Aug. 25

Judgment was given to-day by MiStout S.M., in the case of S. Buehlcr, headmaster of Western! school, Palmerston North, charged with assaulting Jack Cornford, a pupil at the school. The Magistrate recorded a conviction, holding that the master administered excessive punishment, that the medical evidence showed the punishment was beyond the bounds of moderation, and inflicted a fine of £2 and costs £7 lls Gd

RESIGNED

CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 25

W. H. E. Wanldyn, secretary to the Conterbury Jockey Club for nearly thirty years, has resigned, on account of ill health.

A FATAL DRINK. DARGAVILLE, Aug. 25. After partaking of a drink of stout from a bottle at Ramvai on Friday, three men were taken ill. Two recovered, but the third, a labourer named John Broun, single between forty and fifty, was removed to Wairoa hospital, where he died on Saturday morning. Deceased drank n full cup and the second man tasted the liquor. The third suspected something was wrong owing to the colour of the liquor. An inquest was opened and adjourned pending the analyist’s report.