CARE OF ORPHANS.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 December 1918, Page 4

CARE OF ORPHANS.

WELLINGTON, Dec 4. The Prime Minister to-day informed Mr. Hunter that Cabinet had not yet been able to arrive at the definite amount to be voted for relief of epidemic sufferers, but intended to do the right thing as far as possible, and provision -would be made. The Finance Minister would probably be able to make a statement in a few days as to the children who were left destitute through the loss of parents. The Education Department had already sent circulars to ascertain the names and number of children requiring assistance through the loss of parents. A The Hon. G. W. Russell has informed Mr. Luke (who said there were a hundred orphaned children in Wellington alone) that immediate responsibility rested on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, but if special assistance were required the Government would consider it when the occasion arose. Mr. Ell remarked that Christchurch had already established comfortable homes, Mr. Parr asked Mr. Russell if he could explain why medical health officers had not been able to take the same precautions to keep the epidemic out of New Zealand as had been used so successfully in Australia. Mr. Russell replied that influenza was prevalent in New Zealand for a considerable period, although not so severe as during the last few weeks. The epidemic was now' over as far as New Zealand was concerned, and he would ask for a. full scientific report respecting New* Zealand’s relation to . the disease. || —— A THE LOST EASY. There "was great rejoicing, in the Central Depot. Christchurch, when one of the nurses entered with a baby for whom frantic search had been made during the previous thirty-six hours. The infant was one of those taken charge of while its mother was ill, and owing to the fact that it was entered on books by its two Christian names only, it could not be traced when it was looked for under its surname! On Frida}* its convalescent mother was asking for it, and the consternation that ensued when it could not bo produced was terrible. Searchers flew about all over the town in cars, and at last the youngster was unearthed and triumphantly away. When the nurse who found it came into the depot there were loud cheers, and she was solemnly decorated with the 1 ‘ iron cross. ’ ’