THE EPIDEMIC.
PAPEETE WIRELESS STATE AEFEOTED.
POSITION IN WEILHGTON.
DOMINION'S NATIVE MORTALITY,
By Telegraph.—Press Association.
Wellington, Dec 3. All the telegraph restrictions due to the influenza have been removed, hut curtiilud war conditions continue.
Eleven soldiers' deaths are reported. The cases at the camps number '260, and the serious ones are down to 10. Tlie Hon. G. W. Russell says the most serious aspect now is the Native fortality. Tlie deaths in some places are Bonrre.
The epidemic had terrible results in Samoa. In Upoln alone the deaths are estimated at 1000
The Cabinet is considering provision of relief for widows and children. A circular has been issued to hospital boards.
A wireless message from the Chatham* reports a serious state of affairs. There is only one overworked doctor, and nurses are urgently required.
AMONG THE MAORIS.
OR. POMARE'S VIEWS
Palmerston N., Dec. 3. The Hon. Dr. Pomare, who passed through Palmerston on his return to Wellington to-day, has visited most of the Native centres in the North Island. He expresses him=elf a.= sanguine that the worst is now over, but says it would be a mistake to let up at the present time. He says seven Native hospital.' have been established and good work is Icing done-'at all.
SOUTH AFRICAN DOCTOR.
ON THE INFLUENZA BACILLUS.
Capetown, Dec. 2.
I>r. Eddington, medical superintendent of Grey's Hosptnl, has contributed an article to a Maritzburg paper dealing v -;t'i the so-called Spanish influenza. He claimed to have succeeded in isolating a strepto-bacilhis, which was genetically related to that of plague, hut was nevert'<pl."«s no new species, also that, like tbe bacillus of bubonic plaeaie, this bacillus tnund a host in ruts, fleas, and other vermin.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assoc
THE MARURA'S CREW.
EIGHT MORE REMOVED.
Auckland, Dec. .1.
Eight more of the 1 crew of the Makura have been stricken with influenza, and removed to the quarantine station-
CHRISTCHURCH REPORTS GOOD.
Cliristclturck, Dec. 3. Reports regarding the influenza continue favorable. Admissions to the hospital yesterday were sis and the deaths four. The abatement of the trouble is evidenced by the closing of several Buburban depots, while others remain open only during restricted hours. The local Health Officer wrote to the City Council suggesting that Christinas displays in the shops be prohibited on the ground that they caused congestion of traffic. The council decided that the letter be "received."
The City Council has appointed a committee to consider the question of city sanitation, the demolition of insanitary buildings, the erection of municipal dwellings, and advances to house owners for the purpose of maintaining dwellings properly habitable and sanitary.
POSITION IN OTAGO.
Dunedin, Dec. 3. Notifications for Otago and Southland to-day total fifty. The hairdressers are to open on Friday, and possibly club sports will be allowed on Saturday.
IMPROVEMENT IN ELTHAM.
EUham, Dec. 3.
The position is greatly improved locally in connection with, the epidemic. There have been only three admissions to the emergency hospitals since Satur-. day. The total deaths in this district to date is 16.
WESTPORT ALMOST FREE.
Westport, Deo. 3. The epidemic is on its last legs. The district has >be«i practically immune from new cases during the past three days- The patients in the hospital are mostly in the convalescent stage. The town has had a wonderful 'cleaning up. Shipping is now brisk and everything is now almost back to the normal stage.
Wellingon, Last Night, .tie Telegraph Department is advised that the Papeete wireless station is unable to work owing to tne influenza cnidemic. l
BLENHEIM'S REPORT.
Blenheim, Last Nisrht. 1 he improved weather conditions favor the prospects of an improvement in the epidemiq, but the position shows no marked change. The death-rate has been augmented bv five deaths, including a nurse at the hospital, making a total of 26. • .
POSITION AT GISBORNE.
. Gisborne, Last Night. J. t'.p position regarding the influenza epidemic is becoming increasingly satisfactory in the town, where verv few fre=h cases have occurred in the last few days.
Considerable cause of anxietv Is occasioned by tho large number of cases at the various Maori pahs in the outlying districts. It is believed there are 100 cases in the Tiniroto district. Dr. Bowie has been sent from Gisborne to investigate the position of the 'Native settlements between Gisborne and Wairoa He reported several deaths amonpst the .Natives at Tereinga and Eitalnturi As both the doctors at Wairoa are ill. Dr. Bowie will also help there. '
A Native tanrri. at Mamrtuke was disposed by the health injector to-dav, who ordered the 300 participants to return home, the body being immediately b<"-;cri.
The deaths in Novemtfer frnm inftii™'a totalled 50, includm? a dozen Nat'v?s from the outlvin? shearing station Croat sympathy is felt here"for Afro s " cn " Oay. of 'Ksiti. who lost three srrowti-«r. sons from influenza within the pa*t we-!-, another son heing killed recently at the front.
OPUNAO
(From Our Own Corespondent.)
The epidemic continues to make inroads into various homes around Opunake. There were 17 patients in Opunake emergency hospital on Tuesday. The Rev. Father Doolaghty and the Sisters of the Mission have kindly placed the Catholic buildings at the disposal of the. sick. The rooms in the Convent are used as a children's hospital, and the Sisters have charge of seven children patients, and the Presbytery is used as a convalescent hospital. The town hall has been shaped into an auxiliary hospital. Some cases of measles have developed and precautions Ware been taken to isolate them.
Native cases are now well cared for. Two Maori hospitals have been instituted—one at Pihama and one at Rahotu. In the latter place, on Saturday, 17 beds were put in the school, and patients were being brought iu fairly regularly.
The Natives at Pihama are more amenable to the European handling than at Rahotu. It is expected that the latter will not require much persuasion after good results are shown, and probably the influence for good will extend to conservative Parihaka,
Dr. Walker expressed satisfaction at the organisation in the Egmont county. He visited all the emergency hospitals, and at Opunake made a short speech that was right to the point on fighting the epidemic. Hon. Dr. Pomare, Native Minister, in company with Major Kcenan, visited the Native emergency hospitals in this district, and expressed himself satisfied with what is being done for the Maoris. At Te Kiri there are seven or eight mild cases. '
DM3LEWOOD.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
A notice is placarded on the door of the bureau office notifying that in future all matters pertaining to bureau affairs will be dealt with by the town clerk. This indicates the actual position in Inglewood. The epidemic is on the wane, and those who have reached the stage of normal health are settling down to work as of yore. A few cases were reported in the country yesterday, and temperature readers were immediately dispatched. The cases were found to be serious. The epidemic has left its scars. Many a sterling character has succumbed, and the sympathy of the whole community goes out to the bereaved ones.
The funeral of the late Mr. Frank Drozdowski, of Johns Road, took place here to-day, Pev. Father Kelly officiating at the graveside. Mrs. Minchin, Inglewood, has received the sad news of the death of her eldest son, Frederick, which aad event took place at ClirJstchureh on Monday. Mrs. Minchin and family have the sympathy of all in Ihcir sorrow. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Burwell, of Kaimata, it will be remembered, fell a victim to influenza a short time ago.
The remains of .he late Mr. J. Stachurski were interred here yesterday. Rev. Father Kelly officiated 'at the graveside. The latest hospital reports state that his Worship the Mayor (Mr. Geo. Young), has left the 'New Plymouth hospital, and is at present at the con-, valesoent camp.
Mr. Corkill, chairman of tlie Moa Road Board, and Mr. Buckley, clerk, left for Wellington on Monday on matters connected with the County Cov.neil Bill, now before Parliament.
HOSPITAL REPORTS.
Various hospital reports were submitted as follow:
Ingle wood.—Nurse. Morgan's Home: Ope admitted: three discharged, leaving I? in hospital at present; beds available, 3. Nurse Bennett's Nursing Home: None admitted, none discharged, 8 inmates at present; two beds available.
Warea.---Four admitted, 7 in lospital, six .''ed? available. Puniho Cotivalescent—No case admitted. 11 in hospital, no beds available. IVI] Block. Two admitted. 5 discharged, 22 in hospital, 11 beds available.
EG MONT COUNTY.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) A well-attended conference oi delegates from all parts of the district, called by the county chairman for Sunday ruglit in Opuuake, at which Dr. Pomare and .Major Kcenan were present, discussed questions of quarantine and general .disinfection of premises, and other important matters. On Monday four patients came to Pihama Native hospital, there bein» only two inmates there. Only one death has occurred there, it being an error in stating that four deaths had taken place. Ihe health of the whites is excellent, and every road is being worked. At Te Kiri the five patients were reported to be doing' well, while at Opunake outside patients are still comingin, both to the hospital, the Convalescent Home, and the children's hospital.Oaonui is quito full, the overflow going to Rahotu and Optmake. The Native hospital in Rahotu School is going' strong, there being 18 patients in it on Tuesday, and tho European one is being relieved of some of ita inmates through recoveries. It is just theso recoveries that threaten danger to themselves, and more so to others. It being "their own funeral" when they disregard published warnings, it does not matter so much, but as the disease is spread by these people going about, it behoves the powers that be to put clause 34 oi the Public Health Act in force, which provides a £lO penalty for anyone in that state entering any shop, hotel, public place, or vehicle.
At Pungarehu the hospital is closed, bnt the factory is in full swing, most of th» suppliers having returned, while at Puniho on Tuesday Mr. W. Gnxy, one of the heroes of the epidemic, was evacuating his "recoveries." Owing to the continued illness of several foremen, work is stopped in Oeo (southern) and Puniho bridge, out crushing at Opunake started yesterday. Mr. Pease, the county engineer, is still confined to the house-
Seven of the country employees are acting as orderlies in the temporary hospitals.
» Tt is very necessary that burials take place without delay. Any justice can order a hurial forthwith, and on Sunday the county chairman gave the necessary authority in one case for immediate internment.
Dr. Pomaro's visit in Parihaka. as those who know the Natives foretold, resulted in the establishment of a Native hospital, with the promise of immediate notification of any outbreak. The whole of the eight cases in Pihama, four at Rahotu and New Plymouth hospitals, can lie clearly and distinctly traced to infection got at the same tangl
There was one death on Mondav—that in Rahotu, a Maori woman, who had been ill for a fortnight but who did not report.
WAITARA. —"~"<
(From Our Own Correspondent.)'
Waitara, Bee. 3Since I last wrote I think we have gained the mastery over the influenza epidemic to a laiye extent, but still a watch will have to be kept over the town for the next few days, as, unless new cases are noted and properly Created it may again assume a threatening aspect It has been a very strenuous time for the past fortnight for a large number of people, and tho hearty thanks of the town aTe due to the men and women who have sacrificed their time and given their services so generously. The new cases for the past few days have been as follow':—Friday, 4 cass; Saturday, 2; Sunday, 5; Monday, 2; Tuesday, 6, so that there is still need for vigilance. The total number of cases m the borough so far is 324, of. whTch 252 have recovered, six have died, and 66 are still suffering, though only a few cases are of a serious nature.
At a meeting held on Saturday, 3fc was decided to open the shops on Monrtav horning from 10 o'clock U S n.m. These hours were determined on, so that all* shop assistants who were taking a block could still continue to do so. St John's, the Foresters' Hall, and the Technical 'School aro being used as hospitals—St. John's for the serious cases, the Foresters' j!or convalescent men, and tho Technical School for convalescent women. Several of both sexes were discharged cured to-day. Five deaths have occurred at the local hospital since it was started, all Maoris brought in from the country,. The country district between here and Onaero has still some cases, but the majority are convalescent.
It is rumored that a boat is expected here shortly. It would have been rather inconvenient.had one come diving the pa«t, fortnight, as there would have been very great difficulty in it loilded, •but several will foe required so as to enable the freezing works to start killing. Dr. Pomare paid a hasty visit hj>re last night While Tiere he visited the hospitals, and greatly cheered the patients. He* congratulated the Health Committee upon the good work which they had done amongst the Maoris, but deprecated the feeling which he had been told existed amongst a large proportion of the while people of the town of hostility to tho Maori. He left about 8 p.m. for Urenui and the King Country.
TARIKI.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) Tariki. Doe. 3. The late F. Brozdowski, who died in Now Plymouth from influenza at the age i»f 00 years, has 'been farming for many rears on the John Road in this district He leaves a widow and family to mourn their loss. Farm, work will he carried o? as usual by the family.
Residents here nre complaining that rnanv of those who have been down through the epidemic are now coming out and mixing with their neighbors too soon. This is decidedly wrong, and haq been reneatcdh- written and spoken ''bout. There is n, danger of relapse to the patient, find it is not fair to those who have so far escaped: but many contract the malady through the carelessiiSi« nr bravado of the convalescent-
o>i- inhibition chamber has been freelv used .br, those who have faith in this method of precaution. Tfi'ere is a tcnrleiiei- row t.o drni) 11m snravin". but this is a mistake. Probably if a charge was made on "aob visitor jreat"" value would b.» Tibr.pf! ~„ b.:\ mer Bemg free, it ceases to be A necessity in the eyes of some ivl 10 a™ assured the danger is over and precautions unnecessary.
ALONG THE COAST.
As far as the layman can see, the position along the coast, particularly as far as Europeans are concerned, appears fairly satisfactory, whilst among the Maoris, though there are still some serious cases, matters are fairly well in hand. The organisation is good at vail the centres visited, and if the Maoris can only overcome the tendency to hide cases, and will at once notify all cases as they occur, the epidemic has every chance of being stamped out without any serious mortality.
At Oka to the whole district is daily patrolled, and reports submitted to the local headquarters. Messrs Laraen and Hunter, per motor-bicycle and motoroar, have rendered invaluable services talcing temperatures. Okato's district extends from near IP-iuiiho to near Katikara, and it is said there are 78 cases therein, mostly mild, being treated at their homes. Seven new cases were discovered yesterday, one being admitted 141 the Okato hospital, where there are How 18 patients in the Okato hall, which is controlled lr- Mrs. Hasell. This hall has been well fitted up, a Champion range having been installed for cookery. Okato is very sadly in need of additional female assistance in the hospital, etc. At Warea there are now "even patients, all of whom .are do ; ly well. One was discharged yest'. and another -will probably be discharged today. Mrs. Binnie has charge here, assisted by Mrs. Josephs and Misses McEldowney and Cassie. Pungarehu hospital has been closed down and the patients removed to Warea. The.M.A. from New Plymouth, who is stationed in the district, visits all cases reported in Pungarehu and Warea daily. Yesterday he discovered two new case 3 at the former place. At Eahotu the hall is well equipped as a hospital. Here there are some 28 I cases, the majority being mild and doing well. Mrs. Groom is in charge, assisted by Mesdames Gibson, Maxwell, Dawson, Harrison, Misses A. Hopkins, Tylee, Chapman, Williamson, Williams, and M. Hughson. The cooking is done in an adjacent cottage, Mrs. Hughson, senr., having been in charge until she took ill, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred' 1 Wright, Ngariki Road, are now attend- [ ing to this important department, assisted by Miss Baker. The roads are well patrolled, no new cases being discovered on Monday. The committeeman who patrols Ngariki and Maniki Roads states that these roads are clear of the epidetoic as regards the Europeans, but there are several cases among the Maoris, one child having died. Several eases in the Rahotu hospital have come from Oaonui, where the hospital that was established is full. The convalescents from Rahotu are sent to Father Doolgatly's home at Opunake to recuperate. The organisation at Rahotu is good, everyone working with a willingness and zest that is pleasing to note. Though invidious to differentiate, too much praise cannot be given Mrs. Groom, who has placed herself unreservedly to assist the district in its hour of need. Rahotu hall was yesterday connected with the telephone, which should help the organisation. The hospital which has been established at Oaonui is now full, there ben ing 19 cases, mostly mild, and patients ar' being taken to Rahotu and Opunake. At Opunake the preparation to cope with the epidemic are thoroughly efficient Three hospitals have been established, one in the State school, in charge of Mrs. Rowlands, where there are now lfi or 17 patients, whilst the cottage hospital is utilised as an isolation hospital. A hospital has been established in the Convent, where 12 beds are available for children, and here nine children art installed in the care of the Sisters. Preparations are also being made to instal beds in the public hall, if necessary. For convalescents it is proposed •to declare the beach an infected area, 1 and to establish marquees for men and women respectively, who will be under the charge of Rev. Strand and Mrs. Strand. All necessary cooking, etc., will be done on the beach at the Improvement Society's buildings. Major Keenan, officer in charge of the district, visits all the hospitals in bis district daily and keeps a keen grifl on all matters.
Dr. Wade yesterday visited the coast as far as Warea.
One prominent Opunake citizen has devoted considerable time to fighting the epidemic, and has already travelled 1300 mileein his own car for that purpose. It is stated that there are nineteen cases of influenza on the Upper Kahui Road. Two or three from there have been removed to the Rahotu ho - Dital.
The Eahotu store suffered severely, no less than nine of tho staff being down at one time. All are convalescent or doing well.
AMONG THE MAORIS,
At ?uniho a hospital has been established 'n a residence near the main road, in a healthy situation, and here there aro a 7'umber of cases, some being very serious, in charge of Miss Hill. "There was ouo death ou Monday night, a young chiM.
The Puniho school is also fitted up as a convalescent home for Maoris,' and. hero yesterday there were eleven convalescents, all of whom were happy and progressing favorably. Several of them are mere children. Miss Rita Hill has charge here, and is pluckily carrying on, though still feeling the effects of Iter accident of the previous day. It is expected that a. number of patients from the hospital will be discharged in a day or two.
Coining for babies and small children is urgently required by those in charge of this hospital. The roads and pahs are being patrolled with a view to discovering cases as early as possible and giving them proper attention.
The school at Rahotu has been fitted up as a Native hospital, and is in charge of Mrs. Ross, of Opunake. There aro nineteen patients, mostly hailjng from the Oaouui district. Yesterday it was expected to instal six additional beds that were being sent out from New Plymouth. A death had occurred at a pah close to Rahotu the previous evening.
Major KeeJian, who visits the district daily, informed a News representative that a death had occurred at Parihaka, the deceased being an old woman, who had evidently been brought to Parihaka suffering from the disease. Otherwise, the pali appeared to be clear. With Dr. Pomare he had visited Parihaka the previous day, and, after a- long korero, had been given permission by those in authority at the village to take whatever steps he deemed necessary.
At Pihama one death occurred on Monday night, at the Maori hospital on the racecourse. In order to prevent too much promiscuous moving about among ' the Maoris, the.authorities removed the car-' buretter from one .well-known Native's CM./
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Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1918, Page 3
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3,559THE EPIDEMIC. Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1918, Page 3
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