INFLUENZA.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1918, Page 3

INFLUENZA.

.HOTELS TO CLOSE. DRASTIC REGULATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Nov. 15. All liars in boroughs and town districts are to be closed at 4 p.m. Country hotels are not interfered with. Tea rooms, marble bars, etc.. are allowed to open only at meal times, and not in the afternoon or evening Barbers and hairdressers are to be closed. The Railway Department will put an inhalation carriage on the principal main lines.

Matters in camp are considered to be improved, though the number of patients is still large. No church services wil be held here on Sunday.

The most unscrupulous profiteering has been indulged in over oranges and lemons. Yesterday the former were up to as a dozen, and the latter fid each. To-<lay lemons were to be a shilling apiece, but an OJrder-in-Coumcil commandeers tho whole supply of these fruits, and fixes the maximum price at 3d each for best qualities. The New Zealand Waterside Federation has decided not to work shipping in port for seven days owing to influenza. RESTRICTED TELEGRAPHING. WATERSIDERS TAKE ACTION. Wellington, Nov, 15. One hundred and thirty members of the staff of the Chief Post Office were absent from duty this morning owing to sickness, two-thirds of the postmen being victims. Only one mail delivery was made, and suburban people have to call at the post offices, and it may happen that city people will have to call at the chief office for letters.

A meeting of Wellington watersiders to-day decided to invest power in the executive regarding the handling of urgent goods, fruit, medicines, coal and perishables, to start probably to-morrow morning. The decision applies to Wellington only, but other centres may follow.

A Wellington message states that the ravages of the epidemic have so hampered the telegraph staff tlliat a drastic reduction of messages has been resorted to. Only telegrams of the greatest urgency, sickness, death, accident, movements of trains, etc.. will be accepted. ■Press telegrams :of New Zealand news must be confined to matters of supreme importance and not exceed one hundred words. No racing news will be accept? ed. The only exception will be between small stations working direct with each other if the staffs are not affected. Post and Telegraph offices will close to the public at 5 p.m. Tt is believed tfhis will last a fortnight- To-day some offices could not be got at all and it is supposed the staffs are all laid up.

IN AUUKIAND. A MARKED IMPROVEMENT. Auckland, Nov. 15. There is very marked improvement in the influenza epidemic, and it is generally regarded as on the wane. The steamer Riverina, commandeered for special work, does not carry passengers to Australia this trip.

WANGANTJI CASES. Wanganui, Nov. 13. In view of influenza tllie Borough Council has recommended the churches not to open on Sunday. The council is making all possible arrangements to incttase the inhalation chambers. A few deaths are reported, mostly Natives. Temporary hospitals are being opened. There are many cases in town, but so far the outbreak is generally not of a severe nature.

ORGANISED ACTION IX NEW PLYMOUTH. YESTERDAY'S MEETING. At the request of his Worship the Mayor (Mr C. H. Burgess) a largely attended open-air meeting of citizens was held in front of the Soldiers' Club yesterday morning for the purpose of taking combined action for the eradication of the influenza epidemic. In addressing the assemblage, the Mayor said that the meeting was purely of an informal nature, but t'»e object was to arrange for combined action to fight a new enemy which had sprung up in their midst. They had been fighting an old enemy for four years and had beaten him, and with the exercise of judgment, common sense and cleanliness, they would overpower the new enemy—influenza. Ho had received a lengthy telegram from the Minister of Public Health regarding the steps to be taken in connexion with stamping out the disease, but ai; it had already been published in the newspapers, he would not weary his listeners by reading it. He would impress upon citizens that there was not the slightest occasion for panic. If people neglected to Uke the necessary and simple precautions to avoid contagion, then it was their own fault. The medical men of the town had gone to no end of trouble to place before the public some very simple and effective rules to follow out, and all would do their utmost to carry them out, and if they did so ho felt confident that within a few days they would stamp out the trouble. (Applause). Dr. Walker, the next speaker, said that ho was pleased to have the opportunity of saying a few words- He emphatically impressed upon the public t'be necesisty of avoiding attendance at public metings tald inside of buildings, eating-houses,' and other places where a number of persons were congregated. There was another point that he would like to stress, and that was the individual who when attacked did not give in. right away. He, in a misguided spirit of loyalty to his employers, endeavored to "stick it out," and by doing so endangered the health of others.' /No less than 55 cases had been admitted to the hospital this week. Eighteen nurses had contracted tine trouble; 14 of whom, he might add, had been infected by direct contact. However he felt confident that if the citizens would only get to work at once and "put liouses in order," the disease , -vuim soon be stamped out, Al &" Mfcolusion of Mb remarks the. .docnr'.*' given three hearty cheers, The .\!:<iypr■ SBBV>P.£e4 tb*i iferfe«-

tel-keepors had voluntarily decided to close their premises. Continuing, he said the action which: was about to be taken would no doubt cause financial loss and inconvenience ■\%t Jiany, but if they were successful t# having only one life they would have done well. (Applause). TTp appealed to employer.? to be loyal in allowing their employees to assist, in the movement. The Minister of Public Health had given him (the Mayor) full powers and the intended to exercise them. Regarding the closing of the schools he considered that it would be as well to close them for another week at least. The chairman of the Hospital Board had informed him that an, endeavor would be made to establish. t/wo luore inhalation chambers, and as the ■staff of the one in use at the present time was worked to its utmost capacity, it' would be necessary for him to call for volunteers for the work. One chamber would be opened at the port, by which means fear and alarm would be alleviated in that quarter. In reply to a quest ion as to whether the Borough Council intended to spray the streets with a disinfectant, the Mayor said that such a step had been contemplated, but upon communication with a medical gentleman he had been informed that it was not necessary, .adding that as soon as the germ reached ( the roads it died. In conclusion the Mayor said that he hoped that citizens would render every assistance to tftose ladies and gentlemen who called upon them in search of information regarding the sick ] and well, and when particulars were obtained they would immediately communicate with the office, and all available assistance would be given. The a]* pointment of the Citizens' Advisory Com niittee was confirmed. The conraiitt'.l consists of the Mayor, M. Fraser, A. K Svkes, J. Clarke, P. J. Hill, E. Griffiths, F. T. Bellringer, E. Holden and Mrs. Burgess. At the invitation of the Mayo.* the following gentlemen volunteered their services in rendering assistance in locating cases and reporting on same: The Mayor and Mayoress, Messrs. TJlmer, Monteatlh, 0. Johnson, D. Robertson, G. W. Browne. G. Barry, Blanchard, R. H. Bartley, J. M'Leod, W. Monsley, Rev. Sinclair. Russell (Spedding's), Rev. Flavell, J. R. Hill. A. E. Watkins, Andy Smith, A. C. Downes. G. Moffln. A. Hotkcr, W. IST. Ewing Nash, Townsley, Short, Mason, V. Griffiths,. Matheson, Paiikhurst, W. Beadle. Rev. Evans. (.' .kcnian, G. Lawrence. Deare, J. Paton, W. Ambury, F. W. Harrison, (Moturoa). and W. R. Miller. G. Mofflin, A. Hooker, W. N. Ewing P. J. Flannagan, F. Innes. Over thirty car owners placed their services at the disposal of the committee, and worked energetically all day.

Assistants at Inhalation Chambers: F. W. S. Mcleod, Christiansen, .Cattley,' Maunder, Ewi'-', V. H. Griffin.

Miss Howe:i volunteered her ser vices a3 shorthand typiste.

The committee are asked to meet at Griffiths' Buildings at 10 o'clock.

MEETING OF WOMEN. ' At the conclusion of the general meeting a,meeting of women, presided over by the Mayoress, (Mrs C. H. Burgess) was held to organise the women of New Plymouth in order to effectively combat the disease. Mrs Burgess, in outlining the various ways in which women could help, said that the meeting was called in order to get volunteers capable of helping in case of need. The Bureau, which would be the centre for all information, would be established in Griffiths' Buildings and help would be needed all day at this office as constant attendance was necessary. A system had been formed in the town and members of the inspection organisation would communicate with the Bureau if help was needed. Members of St. John's Ambulance, especially those with nursing certificates and medallions, could go into homes where help was wanted. Temperature charts would be provide!, and tliey would be required to keep their eyes open as to the general condition of tho house *nnd food, and report to the doctor if they considered tho case needed medical attention. Besides nursing, volunteers were required to clean houses and to help by cooking food in their own homes for those who required it. Milk 'had been offered from the country and all food should be sent to the Bureau, from where it would be distributed by Boy Scouts. Lemons were required in any quantity. The Government had commandeered lemons in Wellington, and all who cbuld supply them locally were asked to leave them at the Bureau. Old linen was also asked for as it could be burned after use and so save much washing. In conclusion Mrs Burgess asked those present to urge others to volunteer at the Bureau. They hardly realised the need at present.

A number of volunteers expressed themselves as willing to help in various capacities. Several letters were also received containing oilers of help. Mrs Dock-rill, secretary of St. John's Ambulance, is organising a band of certificated members, and all members willing to help are asked to send their names to her.

SPREADING! IN MAIN TRUNK « DISTRICTS. Influenza is spreading rapidly in the Main Trunk districts, according to the Auckland Star. At Ohakune Junction there were fifty-two patients on Sunday, but there are many more now, and at Rangataua, Raetihi, Horopito, and the whole of the surrounding district, tine malady has taken hold, often in the towns half the population being in sick bay. In Ohakune district Dr. Pargeter, health officer for Wangauiii, is at work. A cbrrespondent from Taumarunui reports 50ft cases there, and the police have closed public gathering places. The hospital there wants voluntary assistance. About forty Jugoslavs at Matiere are stricken. The stall's of the hotels are depleted, but they are accommodating patients, because the hospital is full.