STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, tvill receive prompt tttention.J INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. Stratford, Xov. 14. esteraay afternoon tho Citizen's Committee mudc a thorough inspection of the houses in the borough, and the investigations revealed that the epidemic had a big hold on the community, but, happily, although every house nad a contact, generally the condition of the patients was not alarming. In some cases families of 10 were down, .n almost every instance the plight of the sufferers was known to neighbors. Flight through tue week the Mayor (Mr. McMillan) and Messrs McAllister and Sole (Hospital Board) have been very busy making every effort to combat the scourge, until now there is a feeling that the worst is over. The Ladies' Patriotic Committee rooms have bean tnade a means for distributing fond, whilst in the Municipal Building? an illhalation room has beer, set ap who.:* parties of 30 can toe treated every 10 minutes. Streets and footpaths have been given liberal solutions of disinfectants, until the town reeks with carbolicBusiness men have nobly backed up the Honiita! Foard in assisting in every possible way and gar.gs of men have been disinfecting business premises and residences.

In the country, motorists arc moving round by car and noting the condition of tlte settlers. In many instances the latter arc coming to town, but this should not be encouraged, as the town is no safer than the country, as far as the epidemic i 3 concerned, and an influx makes it difficult to keep a check on patients, Drs. Paget and Cordon, naturally, have had some anxious days and nights, but appear to have matters weU in hand. Some concern appears to have been felt over the condition of Dr. Steven, but the latr»» bulletin indicates that.he is making steady progress. A returned soldier, J. Mcßride, is the latest hospital victim, dying this morning. There were two other patients in a very serious condition. Round Cardiff the influenza was reported to be very severe, the Citizens' Committee finding in one liriuse a family of 10 down with the complaint-

At Tuna, the factory has closed down, the staff being out of action for the time ■being, and the milk will have to go to a neighboring factory. At Ngaere, the suppliers are taking turn about at working the factory pending ihe recovery of the employees. J The secretary of the Hospital Beard (Mr. T. Harry Penn) states that everything possible to combat the outbreak has been done. There is need for assistance from any person who possesses any nursing experience. An information bureau has been set up in the Municipal Building, where all inquiries arc welcomed and assistan.ee given in helping to stamp out the outbreak.

By advertisement on our first page the 'Mayor requests that, owing to the influenza epidemic, country clients shall not visit the town till Monday except for necessaries, in order to release shop workers to cope with the outbreak.

With" the downfall of Germany the world-wide strife now comes to an end There are other things to occupy tho nv.r.ds now, and tho near advent oi Christmas makes one conjure up visions of Gifts and Presents. Your opportunity is now to visit Mr. C. E. James fine Jewellery and Fancy Goods Warehouse and note the great values and varieties he -is offering in seasonable lines.—Advt.