THE EPIDEMIC AMONGST THE MAORIS.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 19 November 1918, Page 3

THE EPIDEMIC AMONGST THE MAORIS.

One of the real dangers to Levin is the possibility of a severe epidiemic among the Maoris. Reports from other places show that a sadl toll is being ta-ikt-n of the native race and 111 adjacent townships there have been a number of deaths. Fortunately so far there have been none among the Maoris around iLevin.

Questioned this morning on this* phase of the trouble. Dr. Klizabeth Bryeon said that there was certainly a possi-

bility of danger here. It was quite possible tlint a more virulent type of germ _would be developed among the Maoris and passed on, to Europeans. , Consequently it w ol' the utmost importance that preventive measures should be ta r ken. and all Maori houses in the Borough and district should be properly disinfected. The (Mayor, realising ttie_ importance of doing something in this direction, has

instituted a disinfecting campaign among native lion so". With the assi.st--11 tic • of Me.««rs B T?. Gardener «nd_P. W. Goldsmith, an. inspection is being mad® and it ies hoped thereby to find out what the position i.s among the natives.

A meeting of citizens was held at .Fbxton on Saturday when the vicarage was offered' and accepted as a temporary hospital. Tii> was resolved to divide the Borough into blocks for the purpose of supervision and volunteer workers were put in charge of each blook. A register of persons able to and willing to assist by providing food and nourishment in cases where whole families aa'e down, and another register of workers was opened at the Council Chamber!?. Speaking n<: a public meeting at Foxton, Dr Mnndl l said steps should; be taken at once to, if possible, segregate th-c Moaris and get them to take the patients to 'the meeting-houses, which' should be well disinfected and ventilated, instead of remaining in their own houses. Messrs Rare and Bauokham were deputed ta take steps in connection with this matter.

A public meeting, held at Otaki on Saturday set up a committee to organise relief measures and to adb with th ; e Board. A ladies' committee was

also constituted. The Committee's first step was a. decision to disinfect every house—Maori and European -m the Borough and to set up a temporary hospital in the Town Ball. Tne disinfection stairted early on Sunday morning and. in addition to its own value would give the workers an opportunity of calling at every house and ascertaining if lihere were any causes that needed assistance.

There is naturally a. great deal ot apprehension as to the effects of the disease if it goes unchccked amongst the natives, and the possible reaction of the epidemic in a more severe form on the European population. Undoubtedly the presence of a. large Maori quota in a Borough is a potential source of danger and wherever possible steps should be taken to segregate Maori sufferers and, carry out thorough disinfection of their houses. Two well-known natives died :«|. Mauakau on Sunday—Samson (iHama.hona) and Te Kana—both victims of the epidemic. There was another death at Ivoputaroa. ~ The deaths at Otaki include Mr John Morgan, a well-known settler, aged 49. He felt unwell last week but considered he had only a severe oold and went about his work. On Simony evening he had to be removed ,co the hospital where he passed away yesterday. Be was a son of the, late Mr J. Morgan, of Tawa >l<Mat. He was a well known Druid and leaves a- wife and four children.

Other deaths at Otaki are Mrs T. McFaJI, of linngiuru, aged 38; the Rev. Metera Aomarere, a stalwart young native clergyman, aged. 35; and Mr Charles Clark, a well-known njtf-ive singer, aged 27.