THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1918, Page 2

THE EPIDEMIC.

•' '-S v.WEHLVGTON CAMPAIGN. PKAC-£ f,, *7 Telegraph-.—Press Wellington,-Dec. 7.? The '"quietest day yet" was tke.dejCi'ijitioii oi yesterday's operations in connection with tiie campaign against influenza by the central authorities at the J own Hall. All the district centres are now practically closed, but the J.own Hull will carry 011 till mid-day to-day, when if nothing -unforeseen occurs the kitchen and medicine departments will quit basilicas'. Reports t'ronj the three military damps—Aivaptini, IFcatherston, and 'XremhaKi—-show that 113 men are Buffering from/influenza and 13 are serious cases. HOKITIKA romrwßix. ■' Hokitika, Dec. 7One death from influenza is reported for the week. All the auxiliary institutions in the town and'country are aow. closed. There are 31 patients in "the Westland .hospital, one case being serious. Thejcitra medicil officer sent here to assist! left to-day, together with the medical student who was sruck down with; influenza .iffitnediaelv on his arrival - ■ V; . cood;ne\vs from reefton. r Reefton, Dec. 7. For - the past week one death (the first 'in district) occurred. Most of the eases are mild, only one being acute. The total in the hospital is 45. The Reefton Jockey Club's midsummer meeting hi*? 1 : We ah postponed to January 14. and 15. TWO DEATHS AT CiIEYMOUTH. Greymouth, Dee. 7. Two "mors deaths occurred this morning—Mm R. O'Sullivan and Mrs Pearson, whose husband died last week, Heavy rain has fallen during the past week and it is more like winter than summer. THE POSITION AT ASHBURTON. Ashburton, Dee. 7There are 21 influenza patients in the Ashburton Hospital and 31 at Methven'. OTAGP CLEAR, Dunedin, Dec. I. The Health-..Officer reports that influenza is no longer epidemic in Otago and Southland, There have been: only four admissions to the public hospital in the last 24 hours, and two deaths, GOOD REPORT FROM ELTHAM.

Eltftam, Dec. 7. The position in this district is improving rapidly. No fresh cases are now coming in. The deaths in this district total twenty. CHATHAM ISLANDS REPORT. Wellington, Dec. 7. A wireless message from the Chathams reportf. four deaths and a few new cases of influenza, but the position is fairly satisfactory. Two dangerous cases have been treated since i December 1. , GOVERNMENT'S THANKS. ■ His Worship the Mayor of New Plymouth has received the following telegram from the Minister of Public Health, the Hon. G. W. Russell: "Very pleased that epidemic is disappearing in your district. Please convey thanks of <><vevnnient to Citizens' Committee for their patriotic and successful_ assistance." .DEATH AT QUARANTINE ISLAND. Auckland, Dec. 7. Denis McLcod, aged 38, a 6eaman who was removed from the Makura on Tuesday, died at the quarantine island last night. STRATFORD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Dec. 7. A boy of tender years—Owen, youngest sou of Mr. and Mrs. V. Lester, Midhirst—is the latest victim to the epidemic. Death followed on pneumonia complications as a result of influenza. Dr. Paget states that the danger of the epidemic, as far as Stratford is concerned, is practically over, and in this district th» position, as far as ha could see, was daily becoming better. The information bureau has been closed, and from now onwsrds the sick falls of town and country will be directed from the Hospital Board's offices. Two stretcher cases—a woman an(J a girl from Fohokura—were brought to town by the Whangamomona. talon this afternoon.

- HAyjjlßA '- - (Froin Our Own Correspondent.) Hawera, Dee. 7. Amongst the victims of the epidemic was tlie county ranger (J. Courtney). The engineer, referring to this loss, said: "it is easy to see in travelling , round that advantage is being taken of the ranger's death." .In reference to the above, Cr. .Winks remarked that he noticed 40 cows and 25 horses on the road in his neighborhood Cr. Lysaght thought they might wri-£i.! to the Defence Department and see ,-jfj they could get a returned soldier (c aeanned) to take on. the work. Cr. " farrant thought such a man would hf ardly be suitable. It was decided event ually to call for applications, the appoin iment being left to the chairman. Whilst waiting for a quorui ji •yjjg morning members of the County Co uncil passed the idle minutes in sizing; V p situation of their immediate y'y hood and the influenza ravage, fj; wa3 generally agreed that sheep . rs were going to feel the shortage oi haj 1( ls very considerably. Maori shears It av e gone down heavily, and the engineer was appealed to if he had any shear*' . rs i n the county employ. The engineer probably with a view to conserving ij is own attenuated staff, replied that "he had none and pleaded he had no knowledge of the work Another councillor admitted he could shear, but getting u.p in years the

kink in the back lie felt next day prec uded him goipg on th-o board. Prom the conversation that followed the man with a knowledge of s bearing is being eagerly sought for. B'wera is rapidly re;fining its healthy position. Convalescents are now able to ■leave the hospitals u aily, and generally things are decidedly better. A stretcher case was conveyed to . the Dardanelles Hospital this rhomb ag.