Inffuenza Epidemic

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1921, Page 4

Inffuenza Epidemic

MON (». \Y. RLSSKLL DKFFNDS MIS ADMINISTRATION. Am\ LA NO, Oct. IS Kveiits connected with the iniluenza epahiaie of 191 S were dealt with hy the Mon \Y. Russell in bis election sj c-'-li this evening, when It. took tin' tipper! unity to defend ids administration as Health Minister at the time. Mr Russell said that on the morning o! the Niagara’s arrival in October. IRIS, he had tek grapheil !<• Ihe HcaMi Office r at Auckland, warning him that be fore the ship was allowed to berth, or any communication was held with her. he must report lu;.\ many deaths hat! occurred, the causes, and whether the eases of disease oil hoard pjcsentcd the same indie Dions as those whirl had prevailed in the Dominion for some time pteviously. The Health Officer replied that one death had occurred from ptieumonia, following influenza. I .1 the disease oil hoard was purely si . pic influenza ; and that no passengers wore affected. He (Mr Russell) li en telegraphed that tin* ship could la cleate 1. 'The report that he received was a joint one, agned to by four doctors—two from the shore, and two from the ship—who examined every ease, due at* die doctors on the ship was Dr Kenneth Mackenzie (a brother of the Reform candidate). He (Mr Russell) l ad waited on Dr Mackenzie, who, in the most honourable manner, hail slated that he accepted his full share o! the responsibility, his words being: “\Ye sent- it in good faith, but l now think we made a mistake.” Referring to the heated telegrams that had passed between himselt and the Mayor <Mr (lunson) during the epidemic, Mr Russell said that they were both sutfering from overstrain, and both had erred. He deeply regretted his own message, whir!: -as sent at a time of great national and domestic anxiety.