EPIDEMIC AMONG MAORIS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 635, 17 January 1914, Page 5

EPIDEMIC AMONG MAORIS.

PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF NURSES.

NATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

At a meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board, a letter was received dated December 23rd, from the district health office, Dr Makgill. informing the board that owing »o the recurrence of cases of small pox in the Lower Waikato district, it was necessary to resume the restrictions on natives travelling by rail or in other public conveyances in the Waikato Hospital District Natives wishing to travel must produce evidence of successful vaccination and a permit to travel as formerly.

The district health officer, under date 7th inst , with regßrd to the appointment of district nurses, again asked the board's co-operation in this matter. In view of the numerous epidemics in the board's district. and the success attending the work of the nurses as evidenced by immunity in kaingas under their control, the department was anxious that the system should be extended to the populous Maori kaingas in the district other than Rotorua. He was arranging for the appointment of two nurses for native work, and proposed to station one at Taumarunui to work the upper reaches of the Waneanui river, and the kaingas up to Te Kuiti, and the other at either Huntly or Ngaruawahia, who might without overlapping the mission nurses' work at Tr.upiri, work in the kaingas from Huntlv down to Mercer and Waikato Heads. Ngaruawahia seemed to be the best centre as the nurse could from there make occasional visits to Kawhia and Raglan and get without difficulty to Cambridge. He trusted the board would be able to undertake the administration of the work.

It was for the board, said another communication, to provide cottage and other accommodation, and all medical requirements. Fees for attendance would bo paid by those who could afford them. especially European settlers unable to obtain other help. It would be the first duty of 'he nurses to attend to the natives. Preference would be given to Maori nurses who had shown capability for sick nursing. Mr Johnstone said ho would strongly oppose the proposal. This was a big order. Who was going to pay for it? The cost foreshadowed in the letier would be merely preliminary. They got no rates from the natives, and of all the natives who came to the hospital for small pox not one paid fees. Why should they not? Those who belonged to where he came from were well able to pay. They were to be seen drunk three times a week, and they do not pay twopence for fees Qui'ta recently they got £BO,OOO. Of that, what had they now? Not. he would venture to say, 80,000 pence. It was no charity to give it to them. Mr Chopmell said it was impossible for the board to come to a decision on such a letter without consideration, and he moved that the correspondence be printed ar.d circulated so that it might be discussed at next meeting. Mr Finch, who remarked that he "did not see how they could get out of it," seconded, and the motion was agreed to.