EVERY WOMAN CAN HELP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17004, 11 November 1918, Page 7

EVERY WOMAN CAN HELP.

MORE WORKERS WANTED. CARS A 'VITAL NECESSITY. In a statement last evening Mr. A. J. Entrican, Deputv-Mayor, said that the Citizens' Committee still required more assistance, both from women with some practical nursing experience and those willing to give domestic help. He mentioned that not only were more helpers needed to enable the relief work to be extended, but those already assisting were working such long hours that relief must b( afforded them. He stated that it had been decided to request all employers to release any members of their staff likely to be of assistance at present, especially women workers. It was believed, he said, that there were a number of people with the necessary experience in factories am: other places who were not able to forego their wages and give voluntary assistance. The Hospital Board was prepared to pay all efficiont help. Miss Bagley, of the Health Department, has now twelve district nurses working. Four volunteer helpers arrived from Wellington yesterday, but there is still an urgent demand for helpers. More motorcars were availablo yesterday, but trouble was experienced in getting them just when thev were wanted. If those who are willing to lewd cars would communicate with the health office between 8,30 a.m. and 9 a.m. to-day it would enable the authorities to allocate tho cars just where they are required. The St. John Ambulance Association still needs volunteers to do night duty, and to assist the'nurses in the day. Many pitiful appeals for help were received yesterday. In one case a family of eleven were all ill in one house, and in another ir stance a family of six was found in a dark room in a basement. CONDITIONS AT PIHA. TWO DEATHS ON FRIDAY. The various settlements associated with the State sawmill at Piha have suffered severely from influenza. It is believed that the infection was introduced by an employee who visited the city at the beginning of last week, and stayed one night at a house where there were two sick people. Mr. H. knutzen, manager of the mill, stated yesterday that the 12 bushmen who developed the disease are all recovering. Only three of the millhands were slightly affected, and all are making good progress.' The men employed on the transport form a email settlement three miles from the mill, and every adult member of this little community has been prostrated. Two deaths occurred on Friday—Mrs. Hannah Napier, wife of oue of the employees, and Mr. John Mutu, an engine-driver. There arc six serious cues of pneumonia. Mr. Knuteen added that he will notify the relatives of any cases in which serious conditions developed.

IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICTS. MANY HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED. [BT TKLBOBAni.—OWN COBRKSTOKDINT.] KAWAKAWA, Sunday. Most of the bush camps have been closed up owing to the influenza epidemic. In the Hukerenui, Towai, Te Puhi, and Maromaku districts there is hardly a household unaffected by the disease. In one family a daughter died on the train while being conveyed to the Whangarei Hospital, and within 24 hours one of her brotnors had also died of the same disease.

PATIENTS IN CAMPS. IMPROVEMENT REPORTED. [bt teleobaph.— corbespondest.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. The influenza cases at the Featherston camp totalled 1909 this morning. A re* port received by the Minister for Defence states thivt the weather to-day is bright and warm, and the doctors have been able to release over 200 convalescent patients from the hospital. If the weather remains good they expect to bo able to release a large proportion of the remaining patients during the next few days. The position generally is reported to be better.

A report from Trentham camp states that the situation there is also better on account of the warmer weather.

MAIN TRUNK TOWNS AFFECTED. [bt TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] OHAKUNE, Saturday. At the end of last week influenza attacked this district, appearing first at Ohakuno Junction, chiefly amongst, the railway employees. On Sunday 62 cases were reported at the Junction alone, and since then the epidemic has spread with considerable rapidity throughout the town, as well as to Rangataua, Ruetihi, Horopito, and the whole of the surrounding country. The railway has' been extremely short staffed since the malady first appeared. The traffic manager's house, which was unoccupied, has been converted into a temporary hospital, to which all the more serious cases among the railway employees have been taken. Mr. Goldfinch, the Deputy-Mayor, conferred with the Minister for Public Health < '.• i he was passing through Ohakunr, ~;m as a result a Second doctor and two extra nurses were sent to the town on Wednesday. During the strenuous time prior to this, Dr. Feltham performed wonderful feats of speedy travelling, and in visiting patients throughout this wide district. Four deaths have been reported, pneumonia having supervened in each case. The epidemic has not bo far appeared in a very virulent form at Raetihi, the patients in that town being reported to bo making satisfactory progress. On Thursday evening 45 cases were reported at Rangataua, and at Horopito half the population is said to be infected. The health officer from Wanganui, Mr. Payetter, has been in the district most of the week personally supervising the temporary hospital arrangements.

DISTRESS AT TAUMARUNUI. [BT TELEGRAPH.— correspondent.] TAUMARUNUI, Sunday. There are over 600 cases of influenza in the district and the two doctors are nearly worn out with work. There are 16 cases of pneumonia in the hospital where the nurses are overworked. The Hospital Board is asking for voluntary assistance. A number of lousiness places have been closed, principals and assistants all being ill. The police closed picture theatres, billiard saloons and all public meeting hallo. About forty Jugoslavs at Matiere are stricken. Three men tried to attend to the others, bat now only one is left, and

the Matiore people are assisting the men. Three deaths have occurred. Cases from the country are now being lent to the hotels, the hospital being full. The staffs of the hotels are depleted and the male boarders are helping to cook the. food. OASES IN WELLINGTON. DEATH OF FOUR SEAMEN. [BT TELEGRAPH.— association.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. There are 13 nurses down in the Wellington Hospital. The Takapuna is being fitted up as a hospital to receive sick seamen at Clyde Quav Wharf. Coastal shipping is practically at a standstill. Four deaths have occurred among seamen, one on the Monowai. The authorities are contemplating the closing cf picture theatres.

SEVEN INQUESTS YESTERDAY. Seven inquests were held by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., during the week-end on patients who had died from influenza. Mr. Hunt, exercised the power conferred upon him by the Coroners' Act, and dispensed with viewing the bodies upon the doctors giving certificates that death was' due to an infectious disease. FEW CHURCH SERVICES. In accordance with the request of the Health Department, services in local churches yesterday wero curtailed, and in some cases abandoned. At St. Matthew's no services were held, and only morning one at the other Anglican Churches. Services were not held nt any of the Roman Catholic Churches.