The Matamata Record THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1918 THE EPIDEMIC.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 111, 19 December 1918, Page 2

The Matamata Record

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1918 THE EPIDEMIC.

The Only Paper published in the Mataniata County Published every Thursday Office Tower Eoad P.O. Box 38 'Phone 82

THE epidemic, so far as Matamata is directly concerned, may be said to have run its course, and matters are now more or less back to normal. There have been no cases recorded for nearly a fortnight,' except an isolated case or so far out in the country. Matamata was fortunate either — with the exception of a few cases—of not experiencing the disease in its most virulent form, or of benefiting by the experience of others. Certain is it that the toll was not as heavy, in proportion, here as at other places. However, there are homes which mourn loved ones, taken with but little warning and to these will the sympathy of all be extended. To them the Christmas will be a dull one, for there will be a chair unoccupied. But out of all the sorrow and suffering the fact stands out vividly that there is still much kindness and sympathy in the human heart. The visitation has shown that there are still beautiful, clean, selfsacrificing souls. The risk of contagion to the fighters was very real and apparent, yet the voluntary reponse to the call for workers on the part of a number of ladies and gentlemen was beautifying indeed. Where individual families have cause for thankfulness to them the general community lies under a deep debt of gratitude. It was the energies of these workers which prevented the disease from generally spreading to the outdistricts. They worked day and night, with no thought for themselves, but, rather centreing their whole minds on the matter of attending to their patients. Their work cannot be measured —it was too great for that —but each resident will recognise it in their own heart. The workers themselves will feel the nobler as a result of their efforts. They known that they fought the good fight, and that it was due principally to their efforts that many more Matamata people were not laid low. The epidemic has revealed, in short, a depth of human kindness and devotion, and brotherly and sisterly affection, which will draw a bond around the community which cannot but strengthen. The epidemic of 1918 has shown us that the spirit of materialism does not permeate the whole community.