THE EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1918, Page 7

THE EPIDEMIC.

THE FIRST WAVE FINISHED. ' u THE COST OF TEE FIGHT. By Telegraph.— Press Astociation. Wellington, Dec. 9. Speaking at a meeting of Wellington North workers in the inlluenza epidemic, the Hon. G- W. Kussell thanked those who had worked so hard and displayed endurance equal to anything seen on the battlefront. The Health Department was not perfect but the experience gained would enable it produce a body of trained lighters to combat any future epidemic. Mr Eussell said that departmental officers told him the disease came In j waves, first a big one, then smaller' ones, lessening each time. He believed New Zealand had now finished with the big wave, thanks to the noble work of men and women, especially women, who had nursed the siek and helpless back to health. The fight had cost a lot of money, but Parliament would probably vote £IOO,000 towards the expense and, if any further money was required, lie was going to a9k authority to draw on the unauthorised expenditure account. Provision would be made jj>r the little ones who had lost their parents and they would be given a chance to become good citizens. MAKURA LEAVES FOR SYDNEY. NEW ZEALAND PASSENGERS RELEASED. Auckland, Dec. 9. Unexpected developments took place yesterday in'connection with the quarantining of the Makura. Practically the whole of the New Zealand passengers were brought to Auckland and allowed to go to their homes or hotelsPassengers for south of Auckland joined the Main Trunk train at Penrose Junction in the evening. Among those who remained on the island were Professor F. D. Brown and two daughters, Professor Brown decided to remain at Motuihi pending arrangements aa to future movements. The Makura was allowed to leave for "vvdnev at 1.15 p.m. No cargo was unloaded. I"U\ Valintine,. prior to his departure for .Wellington last evening, said that ten passengers, some of whom were contacts and others suspicious cases had been detained at Mjfuihi He was convinced that the other 'Sew Zealand passengers released had not come into contact with any sickness on board since the quarantine had first been established on the Makura on December 1. He therefore felt justified in releasing the passengers. Dr Valintine stated that thirty-eight patients from the Makura remain on Motuihi Island. One case is regarded as dangerous and there a« eight, serious cases.

The Mayor. Mr Gunson, wire 3 the Government an emphatic protest against the releasing of the New Zealand pasCAUSES OP THE EPIDEMIC. COMMISSION TO BE SET UP. Wellington, Night. Mr. Massey announced in the House to-day that Cabinet had decided to flet up a Royal Commission to inquire into the causes that led to the recent epidemic. The inquiry would be as full as possible, and was being made at the request of the Minister of Health. The personnel of the Commission bad not yet been decided upon. IN THE ISLANDS CONSIDERABLE MORTALITY. Suva, Last Night. The influenza is increasing in virulence in the country. There has been a heavy mortality- European deaths number 15. Reports from the Friendly Islands state that there have been several hundred deaths, including the Dowagev Queen Takibo. The European deaths include Mistress J, B. Watki, Miss Jennie Mattews, Rev. Fathers Reiter, Kervogan, Elder, and Lasher. Mrs. Charles Percival, and Mr. Chorion Richeiman. The epidemic is abating at Nukolofa, but is still prevalent in the country. There is urgent need for doctors and

QUESTION OF RELIEF. TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIESWellington, Last Night. Tn tho House of Representatives today, in reply to Mr. Poole, the HonT. M. Wilford said the epidemic was raging at Tahiti, and shipping with that island had been suspended. At Samoa there was a great scarcity of condensed millt and need for doctors and nurses. These were available, but there was the difficulty of getting a steamer away to convey' them. If the Talune could be manned she would Be despatched. THE POSITION IN GREYMOUTH. Greymouth, Dec. 9. The influenza' epidemic continues. There have been five deaths since Friday. All the cases in the Technical School have been removed to the main hospital. The fonrteeen inmates of the St.'Columbia'Club'are all doing well with the exception of a few cases from tlie Otira line. The- Reefton lined reports no pneumonia Tho weather is still -unsettled. HAWERA REPORT GOOD. • ■ Hawera, Dec. 9. The pidemic is regarded a*, practically at an end in Hawera, The convalescent hospital was closed on Saturday, and it is hoped to close, the temporary" institution at the Winter Show Building toCHRISTOHUPOH PRACTICALLY CLEAR. Chrisichurch. De 0..9. The position as resardv influenza is improving rapidly. The hosvital returns «W four admission, from Friday midnight till noon to-day and no deaths. Sundav tram services were run yesterday for the first time for several weeks. IN RLENHEIM.

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29. The serious cases in hospital have much improved, and there are very *.■„ new cases. . THE FORTIETHS. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives today, replying to Mr. McCallum, Sir .Tames Allen said he did not think thore would he much use setting, up a committee to inquire isto the circumstances attending tiie epidemic ou hoard the troopship that carried the 10th Reinforcements. STRATFORD.(From Our Own Corresepondent.) Stratford. Dec. 9. Sine* writing last, two more influenza patients have died in Stratford, and two died in the district. Mrs. C- Whittington, who died at Whangamomona, was quite a young woman and a daughter of Mr. N. Fryday, of Ngaere. Previous to her marriage, deceased was for several years engaged in clerical work at the municipal offices. Her husband is station-master at Whangamomona, and is left with two young children. The burial eer-monv/ took place here this afternoon, there being n large number of immediate relatives, friends, and railway etaff present. ] At Tahora a single man named R. Phillips expired during Friday night. He was employed at Robson's mill. Mrs. A. Holley, one of the Stratford cases, was a stretcher patient by train on Saturday, and was in a low state of health when admitted. The circumstances of her death are particularly sad. She came from Palmerston North last June to livo with her son at Tahora, and when tha epidemic broke out cheerfully worked her hardest to help those down. A week ago the malady attacked her, and the symptoms becoming worse, she was brought into town, but imvlieal skill was unavailing, and she died yesterday, leaving a grown-up family of six sons and one daughter Her husband predeceased her many years agd-

Mr. B. C. Cooper, of Pukeneahu, who has also died, was manager of the Wafhapa Koad cheese factory, a branch of the Eltham Dairy Co. Deceased, who was 3f> vears of 'age, leaves a wife and seven children. In Stratford the conditions continue very good, the admissions last week being considerably holow the previous seven days. Reports from Midhirst also show a decided improvement, whilst Cardiff is very clear. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Elthain, Dec 9 Another death has to ba recorded, Miss Hart. This is the third fatality in the family, her brother dying here last week and a second brother succumbed at Wanganui just previously, The family had been in Eltliam a couplo of years, and were originally engaged in farming, but came into town, Deceased died on Sunday, and the funeral to-day was attended by a few immediate friends. This one critical case in the, hospital is Constable Townsend, and he is making a brave fight. Tins morning he was reported to have spcni a better night than usual, and his friends are now more hopeful that he will roaka a. recovery Mr. E. Patten is a],so reported to be making slow but sure progress. Matters in Eltliam show considerable improvement, and admissions daily he come less, while those received sbow milder symptom?, indicating that the wave has nearly passed over. Tboso volunteers who daily work the inhalation chambers ars disappointed that the attendance of the public js slackenincr off. Ten minutes on&! or twice a day is not a great deal to spend in takim; a precaution that nny save a lot of trouble in the futur*. Business as usual seem.' to be the thine here, and shorn are. observing the usual hour Tlip streets ar? beeinnin? to show a little more animation, an indication that the townsman and tho farmer are onw mors able to move rouni'