DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

i OKATO. (From Our Own Corresepondent.) Kow that the Okato Hospital is closed, a few words as to its establishment and running would not be out of place. On November 20th a meeting was held to see what we could do with regard to the influenza epidemic. Mr Pox took the chair, and at this meeting different men agreed to take upon themselves the duty of calling daily at the different houses on all the roads from Puniho boundary to the Katikara report each ■morning at headquarters. Mr. G. M. Dailey undertook the secretarial duties. It was also decided to spray the hali and fumigate it in preparatioa for turning it into a hospital. _ From that date till the hospital closed on December 12 every house in the district was visited daily, and over 140 cases reported on. Messrs A. L- Hunter and P 0. Larsen were appointed temperature-readers, and were kept very busy The liail was fitted up as a hospital, and on the 24th the patients arrived, so that we lost no time in getting going. It is our proud boast that we did not have to vrorvv the overworked New Plymouth Health Committee for any equipment tile hospital needed which the district could provide. Beds and bedding, cooking utensils, and practically all equipment was lent by the people of the district. Nurse Hasell was in charge of the hospital, and all the patients are full of praise and thanks for the attention bestowed upon them. Mrs Fox was second in command until she contracted the prevailing complaint, and Miss Cassie was appointed to relieve the matron For the night duty the men and women of the township volunteered- to minister to the wants of the patients till many of them were laid low by the epidemic, and it was exceedingly difficult to find ladies to carry nut " these duties when Miss Williams, of New Plymouth, was appointed to undertake the night-work, with volunteer night porters. Practically all of us—there are always exceptions—have had our tjtrns at this work", and it has made us feel that we were doing something worth while helping those who could not help themselves. In fact, the hospital has introduced quite a new feeling in the district through these duties, and it should be quiie easy to foster this freling of comradeship to the benefit of the district as a whole. Mr. B. F. Roebuck volunteered for day duty, and has had a strenuous time of itIt is with regret thai the death of Mr. •Tohn Mel.eod "has to he recorded. He had been manager of the cheese factory since it was built some years ago, and in this capacity had been exceedingly popular with everyone. He took great interest in all affairs of the district, and for some time had been secretary of the local Patriotic Soeiety. "Mac" was a real sport, and was well liked by everyone As secretary of our local sports meetings he was in his element, and a very wide circle of friends extend their sympathies to Mrs- McLcod and family. The death of Mr. Harry Corkhill took place shortly after. He was of great assistance in the. district in the musical line, and was an enthusiastic member of the Bowling' Club, and bis loss to tie

district will be keenly felt. A good number of patients have passed through our hospital.- Most of them were sent home cured, but several had to be sent to New Plymouth Hospital, where, with the above exceptions,' they have all got over sickness and are well on the road to recovery. It is impossible in these notes to mention all those who have helped, and I know there are many who have been only too pleased to have been of assistance and would prefer not to be named. In fact, I think this was the spirit which pervaded the whole business, and thzt was why the hospital always ran so smoothly. We are all satisfied mat the organisation of the district was the means of saving life, for many who wer; brought to the hosnital would have found it very difficult to have stayed in bed whilst they were so sliorthaaded on ihn farms. That reminds me of helpers of another kind. There were several men who milked nighty and morning for those who were laid up who had to do their day's work as well. Taking it all round, the number of voluntary helpers, in different ways, was surprising, and I am sure Okato can feel proud of the way in which those who were fit worked to help thoso who were laid up. We arc naturally pleased that the epidemic is about stamped out, and hope that a second wave will not fall to our share. If it comes, our recent experience will be of great assistance, and we will be able ■to get riffbt. off the mark, knowing there are no difficulties in the way. I should have mentioned before the attention the patients have received from the doctors, both at the hospital and at their homes. Although they have been snrtly overworked and have not had a minute to spare, the attention has not suffered in consequence, and evervone is full of gratitude for the_treatment rej ceived at their hands.