VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1921, Page 4

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

DEFENCE FORCES

WELLINGTON, Jan. 13

The appointment of Director of Military Training for New Zealand Defence Forces will become vacant in April next, when the present occupant, Lieufenantclonel J. L. Sleeman, will complete life term of his engagement, and return to the Imperial Army. No notification has 'vet been made as to his successor, but as tile New Zealand Staff Corps how possesses a sufficiency of senior officers for all important appointments, it is expected that Colonel Sleeman will be succeeded by a New Zealand Staff CWps officer.

SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 14

Tlie Minister of Education states that excellent results have been attained by the special class which has been in operation in Wellington for childion who fiVe partially deaf, or have defective speech. It is intended now to establish similar classes in Auckland and Dunedin. The teachers are specially trained at Sumner.

The Minister also intends extending the work to adults who suffer similar disabilities, and expert teachers will be able to take a limited number of adult pupils, including soldiers who have returned from the war suffering from defects in speech or bearing.

LAND AND INCOME TAX

WELLINGTON, Jan. 13

The Commissioner of Taxes (Mr D. G. Clark), at the suggestion of the New Zealand Society of Accountants, has agreed to visit the principal centres in the Dominion about March or April next, to discuss with professional and business men the effects of the recent amendments to the Land and Income Tax Act. Mr Clark will also set out the Department’s attitude on any questions brought before him.

THE LADY CHAMPION

NAPIER, January 14

Miss Etheldn Bleibtroy, the champion lady swimmer, appeared at a carnival held here to-night. In the 50,vds Invitation Race Miss Bleibtrey failed in an attempt to lower her own world’s record of 29sces, covering the distance in 29 3-5 secs.

IMMIGRANTS BY THE PAKEHA

VESSEL GOING TO WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, January 14

With 854 immigrants on bonrd i the Shaw Savil! and Albion Company’s liner Phkeha is clue at Wellington at si* o’clock on Sunday morning from Southampton and London. It was originally intended that the Pfikoha should call first at Lyttelton, hut tlio vessel has now been ordered by radio message to come on to Wellington.

CHILD WELFARE

Dk TRUBY KING’S APPOINTMENT

WELLINGTON, Jan 14

j Dr Triiliv King will take tip Jiis now ■Jfi.ties as liejad of the Department of Child Welfare, under the Ministry of Education, at the end of February. .'No more important reform,” says Mr Parr, ‘in respect to the health of tlio community t has ever been initiated. It will be a campaign to carry knowledge to the children, and more particularly to the young mothers of the nation. The underlying idea is that prevention is better than"cure. Dr Trilby King will preach the gospel of health. Ignorance is the great enemy. To-day thousnds of young children die from preventable causes. Hospitals and clinics aro filled with patients, who need never have gone there.” -Dr King’s position will be a. unique one. He will ho a sort of Director-Gen-eral of Child Welfare. Of course, his new Department will work with the Public Health Department, and will consult with the health officers and education officers from time to time, hut Dr King will bo directly responsible to the Minister. Tho movement will begin in Wellington, and will be conducted throughout the Dominion. The first public meeting will he held in and then Dr King will travel through the Dominion.

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

OUTBREAK IN CANTERBURY

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan IS. Several eases of infantile paralysis have been discovered in Canterbury within the last few days, and there seems some possibility of tho disease I spreading if immediate stops are not taken to segregate all cases, or suspected eases. Mr AY. S. Wharton, secretary of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, said that at present there were six or seven children fn the hospital suffering from the disease, and he understood th.Tt there were Several other cases still in their-homes. These were quite enough cases to warrant a serious view being taken of the matter, as tho disease was most infectious, and if adequate steps were not taken at once the outbreak might easily spread. Under the Health Act of last session, the supervision of infectious diseases now rested with the Health Department

who would, Mr AYharton hoped, at once see that all cases were properly isolated. By keeping a look-out on their rounds for any signs of the disease, medical men could also help greatly to reduce the chances of an epidemic. Speaking of the facilities at tho hospital for treating the disease Mr Wharton said the Board had a special ward under the charge of a qualified doctor, wherein electric and massage treatment could ho given. He was of opinion that if cases of infantile paralysis were brought into tho hospital in the early stages of the disease, a cure could go effected. j * I