Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOVEMB. 28, 1918. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1908, 28 November 1918, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, NOVEMB. 28, 1918. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Torrential rain fell throughout this district last night and this morning. Air ('has. Simmons was removed from Foxtail to a private hospital in Palmerston yesterday. It is a pity that people persist in spreading unfounded rumours in reference to the sick. Such gossip only tends to perpetuate a panic.

In the House the Premier said Cabinet had decided that the conntry would provide headstones for every New Zealand soldier who had died at home or abroad.

About fifty deaths have occurred since the beginning of the month from influenza at Maslerton. There has been a great decrease in the number of eases, but there are still many critical ones, The shops reopened on Monday.

The dealh occurred in Auckland of Air B. Brennand, who was agricultural master at the Palmerston North High School from 1913 to 1910. Air Brennand was a wellknown cricketer, and took an active part in that sport while resident in the Alanawatn.

The Tantapere Guardian gives this description of Tnatapere (Southland) on Monday week: —No shops open, nobody on the streets, no sound of voices; everyone that does business generally, including post and railway officials, in bed with inlluenza. That is how the township appeared yesterday,

4 case of oranges was received i'rom the Palmerston Pacing Club (per Mr J. M. Johnston), yesterday, for the local sick.

The Wanganui Education Board has definitely decided that the schools throughout the district are not to be re-opened until February 4th. There are 4,153 women in the Public Service in a permanent or temporary capacity, compared with 1,820 before the war. The Commissioners speak highly of their work. Hangi Kerehoma, who has died in camp, is the young Maori landowner whose name has been so prominently before Parliament and the Courts of the country for several years back.

The Commissioner of Police (Mr J. O’Donovan) has been advised of the death at Invercargill from influenza of Constable J. L. M’Kenzie, a native of Scotland. Deceased has left a widow and four children.

There is a gradual all-round improvement in regard to the stalling of all local railway departments. Few new cases are occurring, and many men are rein ruing to duty both after illness and from (lie camps. It is anticipated, .however, that it will be some time before full staffs are working and full service resumed.

An item in the Financial Statement brought down by the Bight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward (Minister.for Finance) in the House of Representatives, provides for a vote of £300,000 for (he erection of new school buildings, additions to present buildings, and sites. This is in addition to the vote of the Public Works Department for £IOO,OOO, making a total of £400,000.

A correspondent writing from Christchurch to a friend in Palmerston (says the Times), says that a section of the Christchurch people, including' a section of well-to-do females, had shown themselves arrant cowards in (lie present crisis. Some of them, lie says, were known to have identified themselves closely with the work of sending while feathers mil to allegedly reluctant men in the earlv da vs. of the war.

Poked and masked to prevent infection from the prevailing influenza epidemic, Miss Lillian E, F. Anne, of Westport, Conn., was married recently to Private Walter .1. McKenna. as he lay on his cot in the base hospital dangerously ill with pneumonia. The chaplain and (he witnesses, including the soldier's father, also were robed and masked. .Screens prevented the other patients in the ward viewing the ceremony. A few days ago at Pea (hers ton a certain shopkeeper tried to make a tittle exlra profit because of the fruit shortage. He was the only man in the town who had a stuck of oranges, and lie quickly announced a prohibitive price, lie later increased it, hut a body of soldiers demontsraled. The fruiterer still aimed at the high profits, so (he soldiers broke his window, took what oranges were handy, and generally upset things. In reply to a question in the House yesterday, regarding precautions agaiust (ho spread of cerehro-spirml meiiingilis among the civilian population, (he Minister of Public Health said that his Department would look to the Defence Department to take every possible care in (he camps to prevent any ease of e.s.m. from becoming a danger to people outside. If any ease occurred arnong the public, (he Health Department would take every possible step to slop the disease from spreading.

lii reference lo the legislation passed to enable (lie Government to compel ]K‘rsons to subscribe to the war loans in cases where it was ascertained that they had not voluntarily contributed their fair proportion in common with the rest of the community, Sir .Joseph Ward remarks in the Budget:—“A very

careful examination of the list of subscribers has been made and compared with the list of taxpayers of the Dominion, and when the next war loan is placed upon the market subscribers will have (he satisfaction of knowing that the financial shirker has been required to shoulder his fair proportion of the responsibility of the Stale."'’

There were at 3.1>( August, 212 prisoners sentenced (o vnrious terms of hard lalmur by the Alilitary Courts for offences against the Military Service Act, Ibid. The total number of prisoners of all classes (civil and military) is at present approximately 973, so that the criminal prison population is now only about 7(il, compared with 893 in 1913. “From these more recent, figures,’’ states the Prisons report, “it is therefore clear that the war has at least had a similar effect to that experienced in older countries iii reducing the number of criminals remaining in the Dominion, although, as slated in last year’s report, the reduction is not nearly so marked as it has been in the United Kingdom. The Department is well aware that a number of ex-prisoners and probationers who have been released in terms of the Crimes Amendment Act, 1910, have left New Zealand with the Expeditionary Forces, and the reduction in numbers was therefore expected. It yet remains to be seen what effect a military life will have on their future when .they return to th e Dominion.” The report states that military prisoners have been kept quite separate from criminal prisoners, and tbeir labour has been retained in productive channels. Wilh few exceptions they have worked well and conducted themselves well.

Mr Speak er stated in the House of sKepresentatives that by direction of the Minister of Public Health all the galleries to which the public could ordinarily have access would be closed till further notice.

Master Bernic Gardes, son of Mr and Mrs F. W. Gardes, of Foxton; won the 100 yards championship at the recent school sports at the Sacred Heart College, Auckland. This is the third year in succession in which he has won this event, and he now becomes the possessor of the cup given for this race.

An inquiry of the Public Health Department as to when hotels would be ro-opened was answered in general terms that the re-opening would take plaee when trade resumed its normal course, and people were a I work again in establishments which had closed down because of the epidemic.

Messrs Brown and Durea, of Wellington, are advised by John Dunn and Co., Xew York, that the opinion is expressed in that shipping centre that for some months to come no steamers will load in New York for New Zealand, but that ■importers ami exporters will have to rely upon sailing tonnage fur the present.

A deputation of Rangiotu and Bainesse settlers waited upon the Mayor of Palmerston yesterday to discuss matters affecting the epidemic, and complete arrangements were made to deal with the settlers, also the Maoris. All communications are to he telephoned to Mr Brooke Taylor, Bainesse, who will attend to all urgent matters.

Go far (he deaths in Napier from the epidemic total 70, of which only thirty have been registered. The disease is becoming severe among the Maoris, and there have been four deaths at Tongoio in two days. Tlie authorities have some trouble to prevent langis. Business premises are closing early in the afternoon. The epidemic* seems to be easing down considerably, and the number of fresh cases reported is very small..

The Heverend Father Lewis, Homan Catholic chaplain at Featherston Camp, who died on Tuesday from influenza, was born in County Kildare, Ireland, about 20 years ago, and was educated at St. Kierns College, Kilkenny. In April last became to New Zealand, and was stationed at Masterton until a fortnight ago. He possessed a sympathetic and genial nature, and created a favourable impression wherever he went. He was a nephew of the late Heverend Father Lewis, of Thorndon parish.

Travellers on the Manawatu lino are forcibly struck by the activity of the Borough officials at Shannon to guard against the ravages of the prevailing spidemic at that township. An inhalation chamber has been' installed at the railway station, and visitors topping off the (rain are promptly informed that they must pass through the chamber before they are permitted to go into the town, and (he local officials see that the regulation is carried out. Whether the precaution lias been productive of good results cannot be doubted, and a very tangible fact supports this contention in the almost entire absence of deaths from the scourge in the township.

Rev. W. C. Blair was among the number who have fallen victims to influenza at Invercargill. The deceased was the third son of the late Mr John Blair, of Wanganui, where he spent the greater part of his life. After ordination as minister of the Presbyterian Church, lie was called to the Te Aroha charge, subsequently going to the South Island. For some time past he had been in charge of St. Paul’s, Invercargill, during the absence of its minister on active service. He was an able theologian, and was much esteemed for the whole-hearted manner in which he carried out his ministerial duties. To his bereaved, widow and family, and his sisters and brothers, much sympathy will be extended.

Among the hundreds of brave people who have been doing their bit in the sad affliction which Ims fallen upon the community is a country woman, who, with her three children, have been milking -13 cows (o keep the home tires burning, while the “old man’’ is down with the “flu.” Being somewhat hard pressed, she asked her neighbour to give a bit of a hand (as the saying goes). The JiJy-livcrcd “cow” said he was afraid of infection and might get influenza, but would help one of the “kids” at the factory with the cans! He did so, but he did not bargain for that brick of a woman being there too, and he is not likely to forget the slathering lie got from her‘tongue— she can go some when slit* likes. In front of the manager and all the suppliers, she immediately torpedoed him; then she raked him fore and aft in a real Queen Elizabeth style, and used all the Big Berthas (no blanks!) at her command until, for shame’s sake, lie slunk from the scene. Verily, righteousness exalteth a woman!— Stratford Post. REMEMBER THE NAME. Yon may have an attack of diarrhoea, dysentery or pains in the stomach one of these days, and it will be well to remember the name of a medicine that will give you prompt relief. Say it slowly—-Cham-berlain’s Colic and Diarrhoea Remedy. What would be still better, would be to buy a bottle to-day, it would be eightecnpence well invested. For sale everywhere,—Advt.

The Fcilding Jockey Club’s spring mooting, to have been held on Saturday next, has been provisionally postponed until Wednesday, December 18th.

It is hoped that the Borough Council will sec to it that several hovels in the borough now used as dwellinghonses are either demolished tor made til for human habitation, after the epidemic.

Mr Fred Robinson conveyed a load of young people out to see the mine blown up on the beach yesterday. Each youngster managed to collect a pieeo of the mine after the explosion, and thoroughly enjoyed the outing.

Mr G. 11. Smith, ot f ‘ Foxton, yesterday received advice that his sister, Mrs J. Sanders, of Ashhurst, had succumbed to the prevailing epidemic. Another Ashhurst resident, Mrs Hayward, a sister of Air W. 1). Banekham, of Foxton, also passed away the same night. Both were in the Palmerston Hospital, and in each case a young family of six children is left.

It is noted that (ho Chinese in various parts of the Dominion have escaped the epidemic. There are 70 or SO in Otaki, (he majority of whom live in very insanitary conditions, hut so far no cases have been reported from amongst them. The same thing is reported from Masterton. This has not been the experience in Levin, where all (hree Chinese fruiterers have fallen victims. Chinese victims are also reported from other centres.

All exciting experience bei'el a settler at Awaroa, Golden Bay, during a thunderstorm recently. He was milking the cows when a Hash of lightning struck the yard, killing one of the animals, and felling a number of others, including the one he was milking. A horse in an ad? joining paddock was also knocked over, and several fencing posts were split.

An engine.' and three or four waggons of a mixed train were derailed between Mangaweka and I'tiku, on the Main Trunk line, by a land slip of considerable magnitude on Monday. Fortunately 1 lie mishap caused no personal injury. The slip is due to (he unprecedented amount of wet weather recently. It is anticipated that it will lake some time to clear the line. In the meantime through passengers will have to lie transhipped, and Ibis will occasion some delay. The goods (rathe on the line will be held up until the obstruction has been removed.

Dr. .Joseph 11. Marcus, of Atlantic City, reassures persons who fear that (he human race will be debilitated through the killing and maiming of so many hundreds of thousands of its finest young men. Writing in the Medical Journal, he says: “It may be urged that as the number of women is comparatively huger than before, selection will bu» more perfect, and the women majP*

raise the level of racial qualities in the same proportion as the penury of males would tend to debase it. The reasoning is correct, and justifies the belief that this war will not he followed by unduly grave consequences from the point of view of the preservation of the race.”

The Minister of Public Health (the Hon. G, W. Russell) stales that a few days ago a statement was published on the authority of Dr. Frcnglcy, the Deputy Chief Health Olliccr, that those engaged in treating influenza patients would not take upon themselves to experiment with vaeeines. He considered that the vaccine could only he used safely after its effect had been closely observed. 'With reference to this statement (says the Wellington Post), a gentleman occupying a high position in business circles in Wellington has offered to allow any experiment that may be desired to be performed upon him. He insists that his name shall not be made known. His letter has been referred to the Chief Health Officer for consideration.

An interesting and thrilling incident in the life of (he veteran engineer, (he late Mr David Robertson, of Wellington, is recalled by his death, says the Post, Mr Robertson was chief engineer of the s.s. Star of the livening, which was wrecked off the Mahia Peninsula. Of the ship’s crew there is left now but one survivor, Mr Charles Pbilipot, who was (he cabin boy, and Mr Kobertson clung for three days and three nights to the mast of the submerged steamer, and finally was taken by the Hauhaus from whom he was rescued. He was a colonist of fiftysix years’ standing, having arrived in Dunedin on 31st December, 1802, and after his experience on the Star of the Evening, lie renounced the sea altogether, confining himself to work ashore.

The mine found washed up on the beach about six miles north of the Maria watu Heads was destroyed yesterday at 12.30 o’clock, the explosion being distinctly heard in I''oxlon. Two naval engineers motored through from Wellington in the morning, and picked up Constable Woods, and then motored along the beach. In blowing up the mine a ten-minutes fuse was used, and no one was allowed within half a mile. Splinters and pieces of metal were hurled a distance of 500 yards, and a hole about 30ft. round and^

ten feet deep was made in the ground. The clockwork of the mine was afterwards found, and was taken back to Wellington, The mine Had apparently been anchored in position in the water, there being a chain hawser attached to it, which was broken.

Two deaths from cerebro-spinal meningitis arc reported at the military camp. The Premier and Sir Joseph Ward have been called to the Peace Conference. For brutally assaulting a constable in Wellington on Wednesday, three roughs were senteiiccd to three months’ imprisonment. France is asking that Holland give up the Kaiser and Crown Prince that they may’he definitely punished for their monstrous crimes. Mr 11. Hunter, secretary to the Federation of Labour, has written to the Prime Minister urging the right of organised Labour to he represented on the New Zealand delegation at the Peace Conference, lie received a reply stating that the letter had been placed before Cabinet, which was now considering the question of the representation of New Zealand at the Peace Conference.