INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

REFUSAL TO WORK MOERAKI. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 24. The watersiders refused to work the Moeralii to-day. Probably discharging will commence at fi o'clock this evening, and the vessel's departure for Sydney will be postponed until Monday. """■©aaaiAPPLICATION FOR HELP. Wellington, Last Night. The Mayor received to-day the following cable from Sydney: "Several women are penniless, waiting to return. Can you influence financial assistasce? Reply Government office. (Signed) Kent." As Mr. Luke doesn't know who the sender is lie says he cannot take notice of such unofficial communication. It was purely a matter for the general Government. Auckland, Last NightThere are no further developments at Motuihi, and all patients are reported to be making satisfactory progress. Five more patients were released from quarantine to-day, leaving twelve'still on the islandAt a public meeting at Dunedin last night ReY.. Vincent King, who had taken a prominent part h social work for many years, and who rendered invaluable service during the influenza epidemic, was presented with a motor car and cheque for over £IOO and a deposit /slip for £IOOO invested with perpetual trustees, in recognition of his services Press Assoc. ~., ~, BOARD OF HEALTH'S RECOMMENDATIONS. Received April 24, 8.5 p.m. Melbourne, April 23. The Board of Health has recommended the abolition of compulsory notification of influenza on the ground that it is too drastic, interfered with business, and led to unnecessary panic. In reply to a question as to whether it'could be, assumed beyond question that the visitation was not Spanish influenza, the chairman (Dr. Robertson) said influenza was the same now as in the time of Hippocartes, but more virulent than it had been in former years. Every disease had its degrees of virulence. Another member declared that thousands of cases that were reported were merely simple colds, helping towards unwarranted panic. LOWER SYDNEY MORTALITY. ■ Sydney, April 24. The influenza deaths in the metropolitan area show an appreciable deereaei in ; the past few days. 'Yesterday they fell to 16. The previous average for some time was over 30. In the country, however, it is more virulent and continues to spread. The Federal health authorities tested 3150 cases so as to prove the efficacy or otherwise of inoculation. Two thousand of these were not inoculated, of whom 34 per cent contracted the disease in a severe form, and 11 per cent died. There were 1150 inoculated of whom Hi per cent contracted the disease severely, and three per cent died. These figures satisfied the quarantine authorities, both as regards contracting the disease in a severe form, and the prospects of a fatal termination, of the value for inoculation.