OTAHUHU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 428, 22 November 1918, Page 3

OTAHUHU.

THE LATE MIBS HANCOCK Rescue work in the Auckland district has suffered irreparable loss by the death of Miss Janet Hancock, superintendent of 8t Mary's Homes, Otahuhu, who succumbed last Monday to pneumonia following influenza. Miss Hancock gave her life for the common gocd in the fight with the influenza epidemic. At an early stage she volunteered, with Miss Bennett, her head sister, to take charge of the temoorary hospital at Kylbride, Auckland, and three days after taking up this duty she contracted the disease. She was removed to Selwyn Court, adjoining Bishopscourt, Parnell, where she died.

Miss Hanccck took up rescue work in London when little more than a girl, and devoted all the rest of her life to it without thought of reward. She was selected ten years ago by an English committee, at the request of Bishop Neligan, to take charge of 8t Mary's Homes, which at that time accommodated an average of about 14 girls. Bince then the work has practically doubled, for there are now in the homes about 32 girls and about 50 infants under three years of age. Mirs Hancock was the means of faving the lives of literally scores of infants, and the homes were held up by Dr Truby King as an example for the whole world to copy, for although the most unfavourable c ises had to be dealt with the infantile death rate of the institution was almost nil This record, considering that many of the babies born in the homes are those of immature mothers, while numbers of others are sent there that their lives m&fbe saved, is in itself a splendid testimony to the deceased lady's work. Miss Hancock had a unique personality, and her personal influence upon the unfortunates who came under her care was the means of restoring numbers to a happy and uoeful life. She would never accept anything like adequate remuneration for her services, or lrdeed anj thing beyond what suffi'Sd for her simple needs. She had no relatives in New Zealand. The funeral took place at Otahuhu on Wednesday last, the Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Averill), Archdeacon McMurray, and the Rev. H. Mason officiating at the graveside. Representatives of the Borough Council and other local bodies also attended.

Quite a gloom was cast over Ouhuhu on Friday morning of la>t week, when it became known that H. G. Wilson, chief engineer at •* Messrs Hellaby's works at Westfield had died, after a brief illness from the effects of the epidemic The deceased, who was 46 years of age, will be greatly mis»ed throughout the district. He was always ready and wi.licg to devote his talented services to any worthy object. He was one of the first to combine with others in the relief of those afflicted with the existing scourge. His valuable essiatance in the recent Red Cross campaign left an indelible impression upon those who worked with him in that laudable object. He was a member of the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, where he was highly esteemed as a very active worker. The deepest possible sympathy is felt throughout the district for his wife and family in their sad bereavement.

Amongst recent Otahuhu victims of the influenza epidemic was Mr Nathan Robertson, of Avenue Road. The deceased had reached the ripe age of 85 .years, and, until his last illness had experienced excellent heahh. He was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to this country in the year 1863 in the sailing ship Annie Wilson. He first went to theThames goldtields, and afterwards settled in Mangere, Sometime ago, after disposing of his farm at Mangere, he made his home at Otahuhu. Although of a quiet, unassuming disposi ion, he endeared himself to all with whom he came in comae for his sterling integrity. He is survived by his widow, there being no family. °

The influenza epidemic is the sole topic of conversation in Otahuhu at the present time, and invariably the first question asked of people meetlog "tie another is " Have you had the flu yPt ? " Altho.i 2 h its grip is not yet stamped out, there are manifest sigus that -in abatement of the scourge is taking place. This thankful state of affairs is, to a very large extent, due to the prompt and efficient manner in which the epidemic was grappled with by the Borough Council and other willing workf-rs There are about twenty inmates in the hospital now, but the Committee are hopeful that all will have a speedy recovery. Certainly there have been a good many deaths in the district, caused through the effects of the complaint, but, considering the numbfr of pe3ple affected, the mortality is not of a startling proportion. Bome of the citizens of a nervous temperament, are inclined to view things with great alarm, but it must be remembered that the Otahuhu cemeteries are utihsised for people outside Otahuhu. As an adjunct to the hospital, the convalescent home, at Constable Moss' residence, is proving a great boon There are now somp seven patients who have reached a state of convalescence, and have been removed to the home They anreported to be progressing satis factorily. Several ladies, including Mrs (Dr.) McDonald are doing ex cellent work there. Otahuhu has bepu very fortunate in having an efficient nursing staff in addition to two certificated nurses In relation to this point, it is r}pgirar,!o to men'ion that the youncr who aro acting as nur>es and aro only human beings, and thpre is a lira t'to theii endurance. Although they them selves would be the last to ask fo. more help, yet the services of additional volunteers would be appreci-

ated. Some of the young ladies have their employment in the city, and it is only by the gpnerosity of their employers that they are able to attend to this beneficient work. It, therefore, behoves anyone who is at liberty to take their share. There is no doubt that those responsible for the combating of the malady at Otahuhu deserve great credit for the way tbey have met the distressing situation. Proof of this was gathered from the comments of Dr. Frengley and Mr W. Wallace, the acting-Chief Health Officer and Chairman or the Hospital Board respectively, when they paid a flying visit to Otahuhu on Monday last. They both spoke ! in high terms of the manner in which everything was being carried out. One of the latest deaths in Otahuhu from influenza has been that of Mr Ernest Albert Ellis, who passed away at the temporary hospital on Wednesday. The deceased, who was 26 years of age, had been employed as a railway porter at Otahuhu station.