INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

A SLIGHT iMPROVEMENT. GAINING FIRMER HOLD E? 'BRISBANE. lleoeived May 7, 8.15 p.m. Sydney,' May 7. Despite heavy rain during Uie past few days the influenza position in the metropolitan area, both as regards the number of cases ,and the death roll, is steadily improving. Yesterday's deaths fell to eight. The spread in the country districts continues, Newcastle, Lithgow, and some other large towns having serious visitations, but the deatli rate is not high and the conditions are improving.

There is an improvement in Victoria, but the disease is still claiming a considerable toll, a good proportion being in the country districts. Of forty-three deaths reported yesterday twenty-one were in the country. In South Australia so far the disease has b?en confined to the capital. The latest Brisbane reports indicate that influenza i* obtaining a'firmer hold. There are many new eases, including the niidsim,' staffs. -Stringent precautions are being taken to cope with the spread of the disease.

A TRAGIC AFFAIR. A HOUSE OF DEAD. Received May 7, 8,25 p.m. Melbourne, May 7. Neighbors entering the honae of a settler named Beckmann, near AvXwah-, found the mother, daughter and aon wau from influenza. The father, who wa* totally blind and recovering from the epidemic, was unable to afford any information beyond stating that he .knew they were sick and had not heard them speak for some time.