THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1918, Page 3

THE EPIDEMIC.

• BEASSURTNG NEWS FROM AUCKLAND. By- TelegTaph.—Press Association. Auckland, Nov. 20. Very few new cases of influenza hare been reported since Sunday, and reassuring have been received From the. 1 various hospitals. During the 24 hours to midnight there were 12 deaths in the ■hospitals, against 20 Tin the preceding 24 hours. There are fewer rails for nurses, and some have 'been released to j meet calls from the country districts. The block committees report that the position is now well in hand in the city and suburbs. " ~" SPREADING IN INVERCARGILIi. Invercargill, Nov. 20. The epidemic is still spreading in the town and district. Tram and train services aro curtaijed and business disorganised. The deaths include iSeniorConstabio Burrowes, who joined the police in 18S1-. j POSITION WORSE AT GORE, j Influenza has been prevalent for a month, and has been much accentuated during the past week. A temporary hospital lias been established at the Gore Raceconrse. Business is practically at a standstill, and the shops close at i o'clock. Dr. Matthews was among the victims last night. Deaths in the district are about a dozen. MORE CONFIDENCE IN I CHRISTOHCKCH. ] Christehureh, Nov. 20- ! Though the available statistics regarding the influenza epidemic show no evidence of a falling off in virulence the general tone amongst the officials is hopeful. The admissions to the hospitals yesterday were &} and showed an increase over the previous day, but this is regarded as the result of organisation, every serious ease being known. Many business places have closed till further notice and others are open in the moaning only.

Yesterday's deads include Mr James Stcilte. a married man of •!(). who comoiittod aulc-iilo by haaging, following an nttack of influenza, while to-day the death is announced of Mr .Joseph Eslick, a well-known tobacconist.

IMPROVEMENT JN WELLINGTON. Wellington, Nov. 20. Great difficulty is .being experienced in obtaining a complement for the Government steamers Hinemoa and Tutanekai. Tf a crew can bo got the Rinemoa will take passengers on urgent missions and mails to Lyttelton to-night, otherwise there will be no ferry 'boat At T'limmeron many Natives and about iit) white* are down with infiuen™. Three Natives bdvo died.

In the city the position is gradually but certainly improving. Petonc is making a public protest gainst the proposal to billet 200 soldiers in the 'Drill Hall situated in the congested area. The. Mayor of Petone has offered the use of the Hutt Park buildings.

GOOD DEFENCES IN TLAIABU. Timaru, Nov -20. Timaru appears to have erected defences against the epidemic in good time, Villi officials and voluntary workers r.ow expressing the opinion that the disease is well in band The hospital reports one death in the la*t 24 hours. At present there arc 40 cases in tec institution, three of which arc described as severe.

couxthy organisations. A fjood anggcstio/i lias been made to the Mayor by Mr. J. 8. Connott, who is in charge of tlio organisation in the JMI Block district. In order to deal vlth. thy epidemic in the country district.-, Mr. Con net t «ii<rgc:;ts tlj.-it the. directorates of din va'-icms dairy companies should undertake to patrol their own particular ar.?.<s and report any cases requiring a.\sistn!ioe to the Central Committee in Xe.v Plymouth, whet they could be dealt with before becoming sericue. It is, of course, l.ot desired in any way to interfere with ihc very excellent organisations T-hich a~e already doing such good work in many coaniry centres, but it is thought that dairy factory directors could he o c invaluable assistance in helping on the good work already in progress, cnA thus establish a completely organised system throughout North Taraiie.ki. Tho epidemic is much wcr-.e in the country than is gc-ner.",lly known, an is evidenced by the fact that most of the bad cases brc.-jght h+o the hospital are from the country, and ii these case? could he, notified an<t dealt with immediately they ccemved, it is not too much to craunw that the great majority o? them would not have fatal results for the unfortunate victims.

STRATFORD. FOUR MORE DEATHS RECORDED. Stratford, Nov. 20. Jfour move deaths have to be i-ccorded to-day. Mr. V. Tennant, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, "died last night, after an illness extending over a week. Deceased lad only been lere about nine months, succeeding Mr. J. Leversedge, but during his stay°lere Mr. Tennant proved a most courteous and obliging official. He was a comparatively young man, lieing 37 years of age, and joined tlh« bank at Oatnaru in and came to Stratford from Tima.ru. His father only retired from the bank a few months ago. Mr. J. Smith, of the New Plymouth branch, has been relieving in the meantime. General regret will also be expressed at the death of Mr. J. Hamblyn, or Tariki. It was very apparent wttien lie reached the hospital that his chances of recovery were small, and yesterday afternoon his condition was hopeless. A sorrowing widow and two sons (one invalided liome and the other still at tlhe front) will have the sympathy of all in their latest bereavement. During the past four years, since the outbreak of the war, the family 'has been particularly unfortunate, four sons having made the supreme sacrifice whilst members of the Expeditionary Force. The death of a girl of about 15 years is also reported. Tuna reports that Mr. C. Newland has also died from the epidemic. Guard Black, of YVihangamomona, was reported to be seriously ill, but the latest hospital bulletin was more favorable. Mr. C. S. Kelly, a returned soldier, and a member of the Evening Post literary staff, is also in the hospital. His condition is not considered satisfactory. His numerous friends will hope for better news in the morning. The Citizens' Committee arc still making every effort to keep the influenza within bounds, and those in a position to judge belie'vo tiiie worst is over. Dr. Paget reports that the cases now coming under his attention are much easier for treatment than they were a few days earlier.

I The Hospital. j3oard thoroughly appreciates the generous assistance rendered by the public, whilst trio board members are not sparing themselves. Mr. 0. D. Sole, who"" has been very [energetic throughout, gives a word of praise to the Convent. Sisters for their great assistance. These workers have stood to their task nig'iit and day attending to the needs of the sick ana dying. He also expresses appreciation of the effort.? of the Mayoress of Eltham (Mrs. T. B. Crump). Mrs. H. Stunners, und others from the southern town, for forwarding a continuous supply of jellies and other foods necessary for the' sick, and also the young ladies from Eltham who have gone to the hospiiel since Peace Day and given very vekablc assistance to the nursing staff. Mr. YV. Lyons, of the information Bureau, says it is a pleasure to find the business men nobly shouldering any responsibility placed upon them. Men who have fia<l no previous experience in sick rooms are going forward to sick chambers watching delirious patients, quieting alarmed and anxious parents, and calming the iuquiring and inquisitive child. The country lias not been neglected by any means, and the motor-car has proved n. life-saver on many occasions through quick transit of patients to hospital. Unfortunately, cases still exist of whole families being down, and one board member has tried his hand at everything, holding down delirious patients, washing the baby, cooking meals, etc. He says it is a great experience, but will not be sorry when the end of it is in sight.

! At a meeting of tlho Hospital Board this morning a, resolution km carried confirming Iho action of the chairman, Mr. J. McAllister, in what ho had done in the past to fight the disease, and giving him :i free, found to use his own discretion in any future emergency. Instructions have been given to the undertakers to proceed with burials as , rapidly as possible, and the corteges to £0 through the by-streets ard with as little publicity as possible. Whangamomona has thoroughly organised, the hotel having boon converted into a hospital, and although there is no doctor, an ofiieic- ; t nw-e ami a band of willing assistant? give, a feeling of confidence to patients that is more than inilt tho battle to ikooo a the tjlp of the disea.se. At Te Wera the position does not appear so favorable. A fair proportion of the patient's requiring hospital 'treatment yre coming from (his town. To-day three male patients arrived by train and wore motored It the hospital. In this connection it would be a wise precaution to have a Red Cross car meet the train, as many valuable minutes may otherwise be lost. I DEATHS IN CAMP. j PEATRERSTON. Advice has been reecived fromFeatherston Military Camp that the undermentioned died at the Feauierston Miliary Hospial from broncho-pneumonia following inbuenai, as under, jiext-of-kin I being:— 7-/2 MI Cpl. C. L. V. Windlcliorn (Mrs. L. 'Windleborn, Nelson, m.); Xov. 15. 89238 Pte. C. N. O'Hava (Mrs. C. G. OlTara. Wanganui, w.l; Xov. 1(1. 89038 Pte. H. 0. Shanaghan (Mrs. M. S. Shanaghan, Auckland, w): Nov. la. 55749 Pic.C. T. Kcatcb (Mrs. 0. Kcatcli. !>7 Riddiford St., Wellington, m.); Nov. 10. 84369 Pte. C. W. Williams (Mrs. H.Williams, Christehurch); Nov. 16. 88009 Pte. X. A. H. Smart (Mrs. A. S. Smart, Remuera); Nov. 15. 5/2590 Second-Lieut. C. A. Dartnall (MrH. 1,. Dartnall, Fendalton, f.); Nov. 15. 91454 Pte. T. Shaw (Mrs. E. Shaw, KaTori); Nov. 17. SfloOO Pte. A. A. Ramsay (Mrs. J. B. Ramsav, Taurangi); Nov. 17CS73S S»f. '.T. Svkes (Mrs. Sykes, Christchurch) ; Nov. 17. R3748 Pte- P. Mcfirath (Mrs. P. H. Mcflrath. Kaiapoi): Nov 17. 89715 Trpr. C. R Russell (Mrs. E. Russell, New Plymouth); Nov. 17. 82:25 Pte. J. R- ' ; - Nedzlie (Mrs. M. JTCedzlie, 'Dunedin): Nov. 17. 9083* Pte. W. T>. Gow (Mr. \\ T . ,T. Cow, Maraekakaho): Nov. 17. 83179 Cnr. 0. Prescott (Mrs. L.M. Preacott); Nov. 17. 10333 Sgt, W. Carnaehan (Mrs. Carnaehan, Featberston); Nov. 17mm, K.Q.M.S; 0, Janes. (Mrs. !*

James, Heretaunga); Nov 17 53017 Pte. W. J. McDonald, (Mrs. E. McDonald, Tokoraiigi); Nov 10. 8/DO Pte. W. K. .Ridgeway (Mr. T J. ■Ridgeway, London); Nov 1« 84346 Cpl. C. E. Gallop (Mrg. N. G Gallop, New Brighton I; Nov. IG 550!)2 Pte.K.S. Jones (Mrs. L. J. Jones, Timaru); Nov. 15. 59315 Pte. D. iD. McLillan (Mrs. A. M. McLillan, Hastings); Nov Hi 75218 Q.M.S. B. H. Wyman (Mrs B. H. _ wyman. Newmarket); Nov. 15. S/3G5 Second-Lieut, J. J. Doyie (Mrs M. Doyle, Bluff); Nov. 15. 00774 Pte. J. L. Simpson (Mrs. B. Simpson, Auckland); Nov. 10. 00540 Pte. G. J. brchiston (Mrs. M. Orcliiston, Eunedin); Nov. 16. 00732 Pte. O. Alexander (Mrs.' C. Alexander, Auckland); Nov. lii 88905 Pte. P, .T. Treiigrovo (Mrs. K. J Trengove, Lower Huttl; Nov 10 86155 Pte. H. Collin., (Mrs N. Collins, Otago);Nov. 15. SMST Pte. J. G. Smith (Mr. J. Smith, Martmborough); Nov 17 89432 Pte. T. I, Burke (Mrs! L. Burke, Waironl; l\ov. 17 s«l^Pt c KColli„ s (Mrs. H. Collin,, Ol a go): Nov 15 A .E.Weeks<Mr 9 Weefa, Fcathprston); Nov in 0071" Pte. E. O. .T„i iail > WI% F L Julian, Tnrairalci. w.) ; Nov 17 ' 81«0 Pte. E. B. Isscli (Mrs. P. A. iLell Karanipa. w.); Nov. 17 n0595 Pte Jetbro Smith (Mrs. J. Smith, Woouvillc, m.); Nor. 16. TRENTHAM.

AdvK-e has been received from Trentbam Military Camp that the undermentioned men have died at that hospital, the cause of death being inbuenza lollowed by pneumonia: 83101 Pte. K. 18. Brunton (Mr. R. L. Brunton, Kaipara Hats, If. Auckland); Nov. I:;. 71936 Pt«. E. J. Rush (Mr. Rush, Wha- _ ngarei); Nov. 13. 92541 Pte. -J. C. Brown (Mrs. J. C. Brown, Trentham, w.); Nov. 13. 54521 Cpl. H. T. Corcoran (Miss Corcoran, Harapepe, Waikato); Nov. 14. 0/400 P.M.S. 3j. V. Latimer (Mrs. L. Latimer, Upper ilutt, w) : Nov. 14. 50544 L.-Cpl. T. C. Lawson (Mrs. M. E. Lawson, Dimedin, w.); Nov. 10. 6/1145 Pte. Alex. .Frnser (Mrs. W. Fraser, Ohristehiireh); Nov. 10. 78833 Cpl. V. J. CobMisk (Mrs. M. A. Cobeldick, Rotorua); Xov. 10. 7700S Cpl. AY. H. Jones (Mrs. W. H. Jones, Christchurch); Nov. IG. Sl9-J4 Pie. John Harp (Mrs. J. Harp, Creytown, w.); Nov. 16'. 300G W. .T. Clark (Mrs. Clark, 22 Nairn St., Wellington, w.); Nov. 16. (Died at Victoria Hospital.) Oiifti/? Pte. D. Quane (Mrs- M. C. Quaue, Blenheim, w); Xov. 10. 321590 Pto. A. R. Cobh (Mrs. A. R. Cobb, Upper Hii(t); -lied at ihis home at Lower Hutt, Nov. 17. ??Mi> Pt \ .T. J. Hogan (Mrs. .T. J. Hogan, Canterbury, w.); Nov. 17. 3S)l"> Cpl. T>. H. Trott (Mrs. E. Trott. 34 "Daniel St., Newtown, w. 1: Nov. 17. 177031 Pro- T). M. North (Mrs. W. Cf. ! North, Picton) : Nov. 17 1 38302 Pie. V/. ,T. Collins (T. Collins, | Greymouth, f.); Nov. 17.