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of the staff of the Christchurch Hospital, and the Medical School of the Otago University —that the ordinary simple influenza, which we have always with us, could develop with the aid of some new organism into a more virulent form, it is incredible that this could take place in New Zealand coincidentally in time and character with the external pandemic invasion. If it has been introduced from without it is admitted that it must be seaborne, and therefore that the only question we have, on this part of our reference, to consider is by what vessel or vessels it was introduced. That is further indicated by the terms of No. 3 of the order of reference : " All matters connected with the arrival in New Zealand waters of the s.s. ' Niagara' and s.s. ' Makura' in respect to their bearing on the introduction and extension of the epidemic." The incident of the " Makura " may be regarded as of very minor importance. She arrived at Auckland on the 30th November, a message having been previously received that she had measles on board. When she arrived it was found that the measles cases had recovered, but several cases of influenza were reported. As influenza had on the 6th November been proclaimed an infectious disease, she was on her arrival not permitted to be berthed, and was rightly quarantined at Motuihi, all infected passengers being landed there. Three of her patients died, and were buried on the island. One of the voluntary nurses who was attending the patients also died, and was buried on the island. There is no evidence that the arrival of the " Makura " in any degree affected the introduction or extension of the epidemic. This leaves us with only this question : Was the " Niagara " the cause, or a cause, of the introduction and extension of the epidemic into New Zealand ? The facts as to the arrival of her at Auckland, and the incidents immediately preceding and following such arrival, are not disputed. The following memorandum from Paymaster (Lieutenant-Commander) Brown, R.N., Assistant Naval Intelligence Officer, Wellington, records the origin of the first intimation on the subject: — The Secretary, Royal Commission on Influenza, Wellington. At the request of Dr. Frengley, I desire to inform you as follows in regard to the wireless message received from the s.s. " Niagara " on the 11th October last reporting influenza on board :— (a.) The message reached this office from Radio-Awanui about 2.45 p.m. on the date above mentioned, and was addressed to "Naval, Wellington," which is the telegraphic address of the Naval Intelligence Officer (Admiralty). (b.) The text of the message was as follows : " Please advise Health Department Spanish influenza cases on board ; increasing daily. Present time over 100 crew down. Urgently required hospital assistance and accommodation for 25 serious cases. Arriving schedule. 0020." (c.) The figures " 0020 " indicate that the message was received in the " Niagara's " wireless-room at 11.50 a.m. on the 11th October; the message left AwanuiRadio at 12.12 p.m. on that date. (d.) Immediately on receipt the message was communicated by me personally, over the telephone, to Mr. Neale, of the Wellington Branch of the Union S.S. Company, and Mr. Neale told me that he would take all necessary action, including notification on behalf of the owners to the Health Department. (c.) The sender of the message was the. master of the ship. Of this there is no doubt, as at the time the master of the ship was the only person authorized to send wireless messages, all of which were, addressed to the Naval authorities. D. J. Brown, Paymaster (Lieutenant-Commander), R.N., Assistant Naval Intelligence Officer. Parliament Buildings, Wellington, Ist May, 1919. The next we hear of this telegram is from Dr. Hughes, District Health Officer, Auckland, who says, " The following copy of a wireless from the Union S.S. Company, Auckland, was telephoned to me on the 11th October : ' Wireless received by Mr. Irvine, Union Company : Navy'advises received following message, "Please advise Health Department ' Niagara ' arriving with Spanish influenza cases on board ; increasing daily. Present time over 100 crew down. Urgently requiring hospital assistance Hand accommodation for 25 serious cases. Arriving schedule." I wired Wellington stating I had received this information concerning the ' Niagara,' and asking what steps were required for dealing with the case. This is the wire : 'I am given to understand that probably large number of cases of influenza on

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