STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1918, Page 8

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., lift with llr h. J. Hopkins, boomellcr, will recslvo prompl lUentioa.] INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. Stratford, Nov. 14. Thing's in town and district could not be much worse, surely, than at present. Wherever one turns one hears of a family being down with the complaint. Three deaths were reported as having occurred during the night, the victims being a man named Cameron, who arrived here with the intention of taking up land; Osborne, an elderly man, wellknown and respected by all; and August Lehmann, a young man of 25. Cameron died in a hotel, and the other two in their homes. Young Lehmann was the first in tine family attacked, and two I days later, hearing that his father had only the assistance of two young children, the patient got up and assisted with the milking, etc. He then had a relapse, and when Drs. Paget and Gordon saw iryim the case was hopeless, death taking place at an early hour this morning. Deceased literally bied to death. In the back country thq situation continues very serious, stock not receiving any attention, whilst in several instances families are down and the neighbors unable' to render assitanee. This morning the Mayor and Mr. J. McAllister (chairman of the Hospital Board) were very busy making arrangements to combat the epidemic. Tile town was divided into blocks, and with business suspended from noon it was resolved to make a house-to-house call and note the requirements of each resident, and, where necessary, supply food and give any assistance required. Owners of cars are also assisting by going out into the country and doing what they can to alleviate distress. Naturally, factories are hard put to it to "carry on," and it is from the factories that fc!ie public men get their information as to the progress of the disease, as the non-appearance at the factory of the milk indicates something wrong. Stratford presents something in the nature of a deserted village, not one shop having all ihands available. One grocery business lias seven hands down, and others aro carrying on with one or two employees. Hotels are severely handicapped, and those engaged in providing refreshments are also having strenuous times.

The Allies are continuing their sweepreading. Another sweeping drive is being conducted in Stratford, where C. E James has reduced his prices on many lines to bedrock to effect a speedy clearance to permit room for Christmas goods. This is your opportunity to secure ladies' handbags, bangles, bracelets, toys, stationery, and those who enjoy a smoke will iind the biggest and best range of cigars, tobacco, and pipes in town.— Adit.