THE ’FLU CASES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1929, Page 3

THE ’FLU CASES

AT AUCKLAND. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 8. One of ,J.he Alnui Puma re’s influenza patients, an Islander, was reported tonight to be still seriously ill. Tbe other patients are all fairly comfortable. and tbe nurse wlm contracted tbe disease during the week-end shows a slight improvement. AUCKLAND, April 8. Regarding the landing of tbe influenza sufferers from the Maui Pomare, after a meeting, the Hospital Board sent a Special Committee to Cintra. No more suitable place for a temporary hospital could have been found in Auckland. There is a large number of commodious' rooms both-on the ground floor and in the. upper storey. There is an excellent view of the harbour, and the surroundings as a whole, art exceedingly bright. It is also within easy distance of tbe hospital and city. A large staff worked throughout the day in fitting Cintra as a hospital, and so successful were their efforts tlmi the patients were transferred there late this afternoon, and complete arrangements for the medical and nursing staff of the temporary hospital were made hv the hospital authorities. Ln a statement to-day. Mr W. Wallace, Chairman of the- Hospital Board, said - “Dr Hughes called upon me last night and said the matter was urgent. He described the conditions of portion of the crew of the Alnui Pomare as being deplorable, eight men being conlined in a small space of about 14ft. by 10ft. Dr Hughes said the lives of these men were in danger, and that it was impracticable to take the vessel to Motuihi, as Hie engine room had been dismantled. Under these circumstances, I decided to call a special meeting of the Board this morning. Meanwhile 1 got into touch with the Fletcher Construction Coy., and when representations were made to them, Htov generously placed Cintra at. <"■ disposal. The Board approved of Uproposal, and placed the matter in the hands of an Emergency Committee. “Whilst l was opposed to bringing patients from the Alaui Pomare to hospital, because of a desire to protect the patients already in hospital, and also the nursing staff,” said Air AYallace, “ I now feel relieved of a considerable amount of anxiety. ( iutra will be self-contained, and the patients will bo eared for under the host conditions. T feel that in taking this action we have fulfilled our duty to the public as well as to the patients.

“ The Board has been working on this question for three or four years, with a view to obtaining adequate accommodation tor infectious cases. Me have, however, been held up time Mid again by the Department of flea lib and have been prevented from doing what we wished in respect of building in the Domain, which is actually in the hospital grounds. Only as a I resource has the Director given his consent for the board to provide more accommodation for infectious cases. It is a recognised fact, and this has been emphasised (lor years, that on the basis of population, Auckland should have 250 beds for infectious cases.”